Distracted Driving causes accidents

“A study that followed more than 150,000 teen drivers over eight years has found that driver’s education significantly reduces crashes and traffic violations among new drivers.

Driver education plays a crucial role in reducing the number of deaths resulting from driving.  It helps individuals learn about road safety, traffic laws, and driving skills necessary for safe driving.  A study that followed more than 150,000 teen drivers over eight years found that driver’s ed significantly reduces crashes and traffic violations among new drivers. Teens taking driving education are less likely to be involved in crashes or to receive a traffic violation during their first two years of driving.

Young drivers who have not completed driver’s education are 75 percent more likely to get a traffic ticket, 24 percent more likely to be involved in a fatal or injury accident and 16 percent more likely to have an accident, the study showed.”

The most important step in reducing the number of deaths is clear and start with remaining FOCUSED while you are driving. In Feb 2024, I had the horrifying experience of having a car accident. I was driving with my friends. It was foggy and raining and I turned quickly in front of a car and hit a bridge to the right and the force caused my car to swerve and hit the bridge to the left. We were all ok physically, however, I had to break the news to my parents. Honestly, that was worse than having the accident.

The most important steps to being a better and safer driver is to stay focused, especially when I have friends in the vehicle with me. It is very easy to get distracted because we are talking and laughing but I learned all it takes is a second to make a move that will cause an accident

Another big issue that continues to increase while driving is the use of cell phones. Talking on the phone, texting, and scrolling through social media has become a habit for many drivers today. When you think back to any accident or tragic crash, a common excuse is “I just looked away for a second.” A second is all it takes. Three and a half minutes has 210 seconds. This is 210 opportunities for an accident to occur or a mistake to be made. The issue is not only incompetence in the rules of the road, but also distracted and unfocused drivers causing accidents as well.

One solution is to push the usage of the driving focus feature on the iPhone and Android. This feature allows individuals to silence notifications and texts while driving. Insurance and cell phone companies can offer incentives for the use of the feature. Popular apps such as Instagram and Facebook should automatically lock and be unavailable when a user is sensed to be driving. My next solution is to increase ticket fines for distracted drivers. Every state has different fine amounts and consequences that include points, community service, and license suspension. Final solution is increased use of camera security on streets and highways. These cameras are already in use in school zones and express lanes. The cameras take a picture of a violator’s license plate and send a ticket via mail. These same tactics can be used for individuals holding their phone or scrolling while driving. Some of these suggestions may seem extreme, but so is the death of an innocent driver due to a distracted driver.

Thankfully, I have never been in a bad car accident, but I have been in two fender benders. One caused by another driver and the other caused by me. The one I caused was due to distraction. I was scrolling on my phone at a red light. The turning lane next to me began to move and I pressed the gas without even looking to see if the car in front of me had begun moving. They were not moving, and I rear ended them. As mentioned earlier, it only took a second for me to look away and rear end this vehicle. I was pregnant at the time, and the life of my unborn son flashed in front of my eyes. Everything happened so fast. Although no one was hurt and neither car was damaged, I was so shocked at my mistake. I could have hit a pedestrian, set off the airbags, or forced that other car into oncoming traffic. From that day forward, I vowed to be more focused on the road because I witnessed firsthand how something could go terribly wrong in a matter of seconds.

The steps I can take to be a better driver  is to first take precautions prior to starting the car. I ensure every passenger has their seatbelt on prior to moving. I opt for podcasts, audiobooks, or music to keep me focused on the road. My dedication to driving safely has made me more aware of all the drivers I pass that are not driving safely. I have been saved from countless accidents and near misses just by simply paying attention. I will continue to use the driving focus feature on my iPhone to limit tempting notifications. I hope my steps and ideas for being a safer driver is motivation for others to do the same.