Stand Up to Distracted Driving

The invention of the car marked a turning point in modern history, transforming the way people live, work, and interact. The car liberated people, transforming daily life. However, this freedom has also led to the serious danger of distracted driving, a modern risk that has placed society in new shackles. While cars were meant to be a tool, the rise of distractions behind the wheel—such as texting, calls, and other distractions—has created a hazardous environment on the road. This issue has led to countless accidents, injuries, and fatalities, as the convenience of cars now comes with a deadly price. What was once a symbol of freedom and progress now demands a renewed focus on safety to mitigate the dangers that come with distraction and negligence behind the wheel.

With people beginning to drive as young as 16, distracted driving has become an issue with severe consequences. This behavior not only endangers the driver and those involved in the accident but also deeply impacts their families, friends, and communities. Distracted driving can turn a terrible lapse in judgment into a lifelong tragedy. The impacts of distracted driving can lead to years of pain for those who know the victims. For example, the Casey Feldman Foundation was created by Joel Feldman and Dianne Anderson to honor the life of their 21-year-old daughter, Casey, after she was killed by a distracted driver while crossing the street in 2009. Her parents were devasted and stated, “In just a split second, we lost our daughter. Her friends lost a confidant, her school lost a passionate student, and our family lost a light that we’ll never get back.” This story isn’t the only one that highlights the ripple of effects of distracted driving beyond just the person behind the wheel. Distracted driving is more than a personal choice; it is a communal risk, particularly among young drivers who may lack the experience and awareness to fully understand its dangers.

Though I have not personally suffered an injury from distracted driving, I have felt its devastating impact through a tragic loss that changed my life. My cousin, who was driving under the influence, was involved in a fatal accident, leaving a deep and lasting scar on my family. Losing him tore apart the heart of our family; I watched as my aunt struggled to gather the last of her savings to bury her own son. The pain of seeing someone I loved to become another statistic filled me with a sense of dread as I witnessed the ripple effects of his reckless choices. This tragedy transformed how I view driving, especially as I realize how easily young people underestimate the power—and potential danger—of a car. It showed me that a few moments of distraction can take everything away, not only from the driver but from everyone who cares about them, leaving families shattered and lives forever changed.

Driving distractions has become dangerously common, with studies showing that nearly everyone engages in some form of distraction behind the wheel. A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that over 80% of drivers admitted to doing something other than focusing on the road, whether it’s texting, eating, adjusting controls, or checking notifications. This study showcasing how normalized distractions have become a critical issue among all age groups, but specifically the younger age groups. Teenager and young adults are disproportionately affected by distracted driving. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), young drivers are among the most vulnerable age groups for fatal crashes involving distraction.

To help address this issue, I have several ideas for raising awareness of the dangers of distracted driving, especially among young drivers. These ideas include educational campaigns that focus on minimizing distracted driving. Integrating education into the school system could boost awareness by providing young drivers with critical knowledge about the dangers of distracted driving. Schools already offer programs promoting safety like the DARE program that aims to deter students from getting involved in drugs which has been proven to have profound impacts. There are also programs like drivers’ education that focuses on ensuring that new drivers in high school are aware of traffic laws and signs. These courses are an example as to how educational programs can help minimize issues that we see as a society.

One program that had a profound impact on me was a “Just Wiggle Your Toes” presentation by Kevin Brooks, a youth speaker who shares his powerful story of survival after a devastating car crash. In the car accident, Brooks became paralyzed following a night of drinking and excessive speeding; tragically, his friend Brendan did not get to walk away from the crash. Neither did Kevin. The emotional weight of his tragic story resonated deeply with my peers and myself, illustrating the irreversible consequences that distracted driving can bring. Programs like “Just Wiggle Your Toes” do more than just inform students but also create an emotional connection that makes the lessons unforgettable. Educational programs that focus on real stories, like Brooks’, can be effective by revealing the human side of distracted driving statistics. I have felt the tragedy of losing someone behind the wheel but not everyone has but knowing others’ stories hit home in a way that simple warnings do not. These programs not only teach the impacts of distracted driving but also empathy and responsibility by allowing students to reflect on the impact of their actions.

Distracted driving is more than just a momentary lapse in focus- it’s the devasting threat that affects lives around the world. Addressing this issue requires proactive education, especially among young drivers. By integrating these impactful, story-driven programs in school we can address this problem early by informing the age group who is most at risk. We can foster a generation of more responsible drivers who understand the choice they make when they get behind the wheel. A future where fewer families must endure the heart-wrenching pain of receiving that dreaded phone call.