Drivers Ed, How to Prevent Distracted Driving

06/29/23 was the day I got my driver’s license. A 16-year-old girl who now had the privilege of driving a 2017 manual transmission Silver Subaru Forester. My dad (the lucky individual who taught me how to drive) emphasized the importance of having me learn how to drive stick shift. I never understood why that was until a week before when I signed up for the local class. This program addresses primary factors affecting teen drivers, such as speeding, drunk driving, texting while driving and overall distracted driving. They taught me the value of driving stick shift and how I could get out of some dangerous situations. During their teen crash facts info session, there was one specific statistic that stood out to me. “One in five teen drivers in Florida will be involved in a car accident within their first year of driving.” I found this shocking at first. Who could have thought that in 4 months I would be that 1 in 5? One day on a Tuesday morning while driving to school, a black Toyota Camry slammed right into the back of my car. The sudden impact threw me into my dashboard. I remember during the class, the sheriffs put us into a crash simulator, to have us experience what a crash would be like at only 5 miles per hour. Well, let’s say my crash was three times worse than that. As I got out of the car, I was only one light away from my school, and the person who got out of the Toyota Camry was a teacher that I would have my senior year of high school. In this moment, I was put into a difficult situation. Not only did my car get hit, but the person who hit my car is someone that I see daily. Luckily, the damage to the car was not severe, but imagine if it was. As my teacher got out of the car, I could see her phone in her hand. I am not 100% sure, but I believe she was texting while driving. To this day, that accident is the most adult situation I have ever had to handle. I grew up quickly. I had to expose myself to the law of the land and learned a lot about the law. Also, I got to experience what happens with insurances when accidents like these happen. However, I am grateful it didn’t lead to something worse, like the end of both of our lives. This experience has forever changed my perspective on distracted driving. That slide from the info session was no longer just a statistic. Distracted driving is a real-life danger that can have devastating consequences. I’ve learned that even a momentary loss of attention can lead to a serious accident. To raise awareness of distracted driving, we need to take a multifaceted approach. Since this issue is mostly targeted towards young drivers I think the most efficient way to raise awareness is in the classroom and in the community.

Idea 1: Teen Driver Course Nation Wide

I believe that the local course I took was an experience that I will always vouch for especially for new drivers. This experience taught me how to be a defensive driver. I believe that courses like these should be an added requirement included with your driver’s test to receive your license. This would be super beneficial especially if you plan on receiving the license by 16. Completion of this course allows young drivers to experience defensive driving techniques, teaches them how to address certain situations including offroad driving, and they can learn more about their car and how to keep themselves safe while driving in their vehicle.

Idea 2:  Drivers Education in all Schools

School is a prominent environment in a teenager’s life, where they spend 8 hours a day in the classroom. So why not kill two birds with one stone and have driver’s ed courses in all schools where they can also take the permit test in class. These courses would offer invaluable training that goes beyond just learning how to operate a vehicle. They provide crucial road safety knowledge, such as understanding traffic laws, road signs, and defensive driving techniques. This knowledge allows young drivers to make informed decisions and respond appropriately to challenging road conditions. Additionally, driver’s education courses promote responsible driving habits, emphasizing the importance of seatbelt use, avoiding distractions like cell phones, and understanding the potential consequences of reckless driving. By making driver’s education accessible to all students, schools can contribute to creating safer roads and fostering responsible, well-informed drivers for the future.

Idea 3: Community Initiatives where Distracted Driving is Prevalent

Community initiatives can play a significant role in raising awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. These initiatives allow for others to be aware of experiences due to distracted driving and how these experiences have changed lives. When communities are aware of such experiences they will think twice before they decide to pick up a phone while driving. One effective approach is to organize educational workshops and seminars for young drivers and their parents. These sessions can cover topics like the impact of distracted driving on reaction time, the risks of texting and driving, and the importance of setting a good example for younger drivers. Local schools can also incorporate distracted driving awareness through newsletters to reach the younger generation and parents alike. Additionally, community organizations can partner with law enforcement agencies to conduct joint awareness campaigns, distributing informational materials and hosting events that highlight the dangers of distracted driving. By combining these efforts, communities can create a culture of safety and encourage responsible driving habits among young people.

My personal experience with distracted driving has taught me a valuable lesson. It’s crucial to stay focused and avoid distractions while driving, no matter how tempting they may be. By implementing these three ideas, we can help reduce the number of accidents caused by distracted driving and create a safer environment. 1 in 5 should be 0 in 5. A goal that every community with young drivers should strive for.