“It’s Always That Damn Phone!”

I commute to my university which is approximately forty minutes away. One October afternoon, I was driving home on the highway. I noticed a large landscaping truck tailgating me, so I tried to keep more distance between myself and the minivan ahead of me. My dad taught me how to drive, and he always emphasized distance, especially at high speeds. As I approached the exit, the minivan suddenly slammed on its brakes, shuddering to a full stop from eighty miles an hour. I barely managed to brake in time. My backpack flew forward from the passenger seat onto the car floor. I, likewise, lurched forward and then thumped back into my seat. I glanced into my rearview mirror, as I remembered the massive landscaping truck that was too close to me. It swerved onto the second lane to avoid rear-ending me. A truck of that size carrying such a weighty load would never be able to stop as quickly as my small sedan, which the driver seemed to know. I was blessed and fortunate to react as quickly as I did, not rear-end the minivan, and not be rear-ended myself. After I saw the landscaping truck teeter to the left lane, I noticed movement in my peripheral vision. When I looked to the right, two cars had swerved to the side to avoid crashing. One of drivers had his phone in his hand and seemed to be on a call with someone. A couple seconds later, the car line to the exit moved forward slowly. On the way home, I drove especially careful as I processed what just happened. When my parents heard what had happened, they too were as shocked as I was and then hugged me, thanking God for protecting me.

I believe that I was able to brake in time because my dad taught me to leave distance to brake between myself and cars ahead of me, and I apply that lesson daily. Additionally, I don’t use my phone while I drive, which is rare where I live. In southwest Florida, I’ve seen people propping their phones up by the dashboard to watch shows, scrolling through videos as they drive, and using their phone at an intersection, waiting for the red light to turn green. This experience, however, reaffirmed my decision to stay off my phone while driving. Occasionally, I have felt tempted to fiddle with it, since I have seen all those other drivers on their phones. They seem aware and safe still. Also, I have rode with certain friends who seem to always be on their phone while they drive. They, likewise, seemed to be perfectly aware of their surroundings and safe, but I now realize that it truly does take a split second for an accident to occur. If I was on my phone on that highway, I would not have reacted in time and the result could have been catastrophic. Luckily, the landscaping truck driver also wasn’t on his phone, otherwise if I were rear-ended by that truck, the impact and speed would’ve crushed me and I would’ve lost my life or limbs. It does not matter how safe and careful you think you may be driving while on your phone, because you are still distracted. As so many parents say, “It’s because of that damn phone!” To be a safe, defensive driver, you need to be fully focused and watching for others’ mistakes on the road, not simply your own, so that you can avoid any possible damage.

I’m very grateful I am still alive today. That experience renewed my drive to live life to the fullest and encourage my friends to stop their distracted habits while driving. While I can try to influence my family and friends, I won’t be able to reach everyone. Therefore, I think that Florida should implement a law about texting and driving. There is a current law where drivers get fined if they are on their phone, however no police officers enforce this law, so everyone is using their phone without punishment or precaution. Florida law enforcement should begin punishing people who use their phone while driving. The law should fine a larger amount so that drivers themselves regulate their use, so that they are not charged with that costly ticket.Without guardrails like this in place, foolish accidents happen and lives are snuffed out. The general population does not realize the impact using their phone while driving has. Short-term, they see themselves texting their friend quickly to let them know they’re on their way or catching up on their favorite Netflix series. However, a long-term consequence may find them in a terrible crash or deceased because the phone distracted them for one second too long. These are irreparable losses, preventable by turning off a phone. If I died on that highway exit, I know my family would have been devastated. These accidents cause widespread loss and damage.

It’s important to continue educating young drivers about the risks and consequences they face while using their phones. To ensure that drivers apply what they have learned, the law should regulate phone use while driving by charging a higher fine for these drivers and truly enforcing the law. These precautions may be the difference between a life saved or lost.