Safety First

June 5th, 2022, marks the worst day of my life. It was the beginning of my junior year summer, and everything seemed perfect. I was close to finishing high school, had just started a relationship, and was running a successful business. Life felt exactly how I had always imagined it, and I had never been happier. But, as the day went on, this happiness would not last.

That night, I went to my sister and brother-in-law’s house to spend time with them. We had a wonderful evening, watching Yellowstone, talking for hours, and sharing many laughs. Little did I know that, after this night, my life would change forever. I left their house around 1:00 a.m. to head back home. As I stepped outside, I heard my brother-in-law call out, saying they’d follow us home to make sure we got back safely. Without hesitation, I replied, “Ok, thank you!”. We made it back to my house safely and said goodbye. I didn’t realize then that it would be the last time I’d see him. They left our house to head home, but on the final turn before their driveway, my brother-in-law became distracted and lost control of the vehicle. The car went across the median, through the opposite lane, down into a ditch, and finally collided with a tree. My brother-in-law escaped the accident without any injuries, but my sister wasn’t so lucky. She broke her left wrist, shattered her left leg, and lost a tooth. He got out of the vehicle, rushed to my sister’s side, and pulled her out. After placing her on the ground, he sat down in her seat, drew a pistol from his waistband, and took his own life. My sister was rushed to the hospital, where she stayed for 14 days before coming home in a wheelchair for the next six months. Her physical recovery was a long journey, but her emotional recovery was even longer and more difficult. Looking back on that night, I wish I could turn back time and remind him to stay focused on the road; after all, it was only a five-minute drive from our house to theirs. Those five minutes seemed so small, but they became the five minutes that changed everything.

Distracted driving is a growing epidemic in America, and it urgently needs to be addressed. Many people, both young and old, fail to recognize the devastating impact it can have, not only on their own lives but also on the lives of their loved ones, until it’s too late. Every year, thousands of people lose their lives to distracted driving, and countless more suffer from life-altering injuries and trauma as a result. These numbers are more than just statistics; they represent families torn apart, futures cut short, and communities left to grieve.

As adults and role models, we are responsible for bringing this issue to the forefront, especially for young drivers who may underestimate the risks. We can launch a campaign to reach these drivers: a social media challenge that engages young people directly, encouraging them to pledge to stay distraction-free behind the wheel; school programs with impactful speakers who share real stories about the consequences of distracted driving; and partnerships with insurance companies to reward safe driving habits through discounts and incentives. Together, these efforts can raise awareness, reinforce the importance of focusing on the road, and, ultimately, help prevent the tragedies caused by distracted driving.

The most effective and accessible way to connect with young drivers is through social media. With nearly every young person actively engaging on social media for hours each day, a campaign on these platforms would meet them where they already are. We could launch an interactive, awareness-focused campaign that challenges young drivers to take a public pledge against distracted driving, promising to keep their phones out of reach while behind the wheel. By encouraging participants to post a photo or video of themselves signing the pledge and tagging friends to take part, we could create a ripple effect that expands the campaign’s reach. Using a dedicated hashtag like #EyesOnTheRoad would help unify these posts and build visibility. This campaign could also go a step further by inviting people to share personal stories about how distracted driving has affected their lives, emphasizing the message that staying focused on the road is not just important; it’s lifesaving, and the text, call, or notification truly can wait.

Having guest speakers visit schools can be a powerful tool for raising awareness. I remember when I was in high school, a family who had lost their son in a hunting accident visited our school to talk about safety and accident prevention. Their story captured our attention and helped us truly understand the dangers associated with hunting. Similarly, inviting families affected by distracted driving accidents to speak at local high schools could have a profound impact. Hearing personal stories from those directly impacted can make a powerful emotional impression, highlighting the real-life consequences of distracted driving. I believe these real stories from impacted families could resonate deeply, showing students how a split-second decision can change lives forever.

Another effective way to promote safe driving habits is by partnering with insurance companies to reward safe driving behavior. While hearing powerful, personal stories can impact many lives and encourage focus behind the wheel, it may not reach everyone. However, offering financial incentives can be a compelling motivator. By teaming up with insurance companies that can track driving behavior, we could reward young drivers and drivers of all ages who demonstrate safe driving practices with points or discounts on their insurance. This not only encourages drivers to adopt safer habits but also makes staying distraction-free more attractive by tying it directly to potential savings. Incentivizing safe driving through discounts and rewards can reinforce good habits and expand the campaign’s reach beyond young drivers, appealing to other generations who value the financial benefits of staying focused on the road.

I deeply mourn how my life has changed since June 5th, 2022, and I hope that by sharing my story, I might help save a life. While distracted driving may never be eliminated, I believe that these initiatives could significantly reduce the number of lives lost and injuries sustained each year.