Lesson Learned

Unfocussed operation of a vehicle is something I never anticipated for my future or current lifestyle. I was delusional to the major issue. Then, one day I noticed that I frequently portray bad habits behind the wheel. Initially when I started driver training with family prior to receiving a driving permit, I was self-confident and carefully operating motor vehicles. But over time, I noticed that I started to let insignificant interferences overcome my focus driving. Moving forward in life experiences and accountability, I committed to always being a safe driver. I challenge myself daily to do all the proper and correct actions when operating motor vehicles. It is very important and necessary to stay focused on the road and task of operating and controlling motor vehicles.

During my accountability assessment, I realized that my cell phone was my #1 distraction. This bad habit is very common and highly dangerous. Checking notifications or responding to texts at red lights while driving sounds minimal but is unsafe as talking on the phone simply because your eyes need to always be on the road. It seems meaningless in the moment but balancing a food in your mouth and hands while driving causes you to have to use one hand to eat and one hand to drive. Most of the time there is no medical emergency or reason to be prioritizing eating overpaying attention to the round and surrounding drivers and pedestrians. Safe driving requires both hands on the wheel, no matter how old or experienced you may be to be safe.

All the times I checked a message for a second and saw a suddenly stopped car ahead of me which always caused immediately I slammed on the brakes I thanked God there was no collision. Unfortunately, it happened on way too many occasions. You would think the pounding of my heart every time this occurred would encourage me be safer immediately after and forever. Ultimately, it happened again a few times. I can’t forget the times I’m trying to snack and drive because I’m running late and lose control of my wheel being straight and must jerk the car back into the proper lane. Thankful that I have been spared in those moments. They also were needed to open my eyes and mind to doing better and being better for myself and the communities surrounding my whereabouts.

Life has validated the fact that carelessness behind the wheel of a car is a true and major issue. I now understand the risks and dangers I can put others and myself in if I am not paying full attention while operating a vehicle. Its so much more than just a statistic. Everyday you see the accidents and traffic piled up, the yellow tape from fatalities, the memorial set ups in the middle and on the side of the roads. Its unfortunate that some of these instances could be prevented by simply paying attention while driving and implementing all the rules we studied to practice and pass road tests. Its really that simple. All it takes is awareness and discipline. Do not conform to what the rest of the world is doing. Dare to be different and create better environments for those around you and those looking up to you.

I have put into place measures to continually create a safe space while driving. Do Not Disturb is a great daily tool I use on my phone while driving. Listening to music on shuffle instead of manually changing stations/songs is my new normal. Eating while driving is no longer an option. I sit in the car parked to eat or wait until I get to my destination. My children also hold me accountable. I desire to be a positive influence on them; therefore, I must always do the right things while in their eyes view.

Nothing worth having or doing comes completely easy in life. But commitment is important and valuable in more ways than one. Safety first for now on so that I can protect myself, my loved ones and my communities around me. Think about all the times you hear of reckless driving fatality situations that you have seen or heard that could have been prevented. Think about how devasted your loved ones to be if they lost you too soon in this lifetime. Think about the mental pain you would have to live with if you accidently hurt or harmed another innocent biker, driver, pedestrian simply due to being momentarily distracted doing something unimportant. Be safe.