Combating Distracted Driving and Saving Lives

Distracted driving is hazardous; a constant reminder of this is from my sister. One morning, she was driving on a bridge stuck in heavy traffic. She was on the phone with her boyfriend, driving the car directly in front of her. Amid their conversation, she didn’t realize that his car had stopped and ended with her rear-ending his brand-new car. Fortunately, the damage was insignificant as the heavy traffic did not allow her car to go fast, but instead, the cars could barely move. However, it is a reminder that even in traffic, you should be focused on driving and not anything else. When she told me what happened, I was beyond relieved that both my sister, her boyfriend and their cars were okay. At the same time, It made me become a more cautious driver, as it made me think that anything can happen at any time. Driving is considered a teenage milestone, a time in one’s life when they are trusted enough to drive alone on busy intersections and lengthy freeways. A time where you are responsible for the safety of yourself, as well as pedestrians on the street and other drivers. One is open to a world of freedom and independence; taking responsibility for your actions. Nonetheless, being trusted to operate a vehicle comes with risks, risks one can try and diminish through driving education, but will always be present. Driving education is crucial to lowering distracted driving-related traffic accidents because it gives new drivers the hands-on experience, increased awareness, and decision-making abilities they need to successfully navigate obstacles on the road.

It is common knowledge that a driving education can better equip you on the roads than someone without this education. According to Transport Canada, the number of vehicle fatalities only increases as years go by, indicating that the roads are becoming less and less safe as new generations learn to drive. Consequently, a study done by the University of Nebraska indicates that it is 16% less likely for a young driver to get into a fatal car accident if they complete a driver’s education course. As an avid community member, one should take the initiative and do one’s part to be safe on the roads. If everyone took this initiative, vehicle fatalities would decrease overall.

A step that would benefit the number of vehicle casualties per year is having a life-like simulator. Nowadays, technology has advanced at an incomprehensible rate; simulations are as seen in the past, yet this still needs to be done. The idea would be to create various driving conditions, such as when it is snowing, icy roads, or being surrounded by reckless drivers. A prevalent saying suggests “practice makes perfect,” so in reality, how could new drivers be equipped with the knowledge of what to do in situations when they have never experienced or “practiced” it? New drivers would be better equipped to handle obstacles in the real world if they practiced these situations in a safe setting, like the simulations I mentioned.

After conducting some research, I found that the leading cause of car accidents is using a cell phone while simultaneously driving. This is incredibly dangerous, as studies from Transports Canada and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police have shown that you need help to honestly do two things simultaneously while focusing on each task. More vigorous enforcement and laws against distracted drivers should be in place, as they can allow people to think twice before accepting a phone call in the car. 

Reflecting on my own driving experience, I was fortunate enough to take ten driving lessons at a driving school, which taught me the necessary precautions, safety, and the repercussions of improper behavior behind the wheel. When I began my driving journey in February of 2023, I needed to be equipped with fancy technology to rely on. I learned in a 2011 Honda CRV, a car without sensors or surround cameras, a car very different from modern-day models, which includes automatic braking and lane-keeping assists. The modern features allow one to be easily over-reliant and lessen the need to be constantly distracted while behind the wheel. It makes it easier for drivers to do something else while driving. Even though learning in an old car was initially annoying and difficult, this experience helped me become completely aware of my surroundings. It helped me improve parallel and reverse parking skills, spatial awareness, and triple-checking for hazards. From this experience, I gained the confidence and necessary skills which would not have been possible without a modern car with modern features. 

Driving education allows one to become better equipped for any scenario and challenge that may arise whilst on the road. It is incredibly important to take driving seriously, as we are responsible for our lives and every other life on the road. Driving education should be enforced to teach the upcoming generations the necessary lessons and better equip them for real-world situations and when they are responsible for driving by themselves.