Staying Safe Behind the Wheel: A Personal Commitment to Preventing Distracted Driving

In 2019, distracted driving crashes killed more than 3000 drivers in the US, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). NHTSA found that drivers ages fifteen-20 were more often distracted (9%) than those over age 21 (average 5.6% in ages 21- 75+ – NHTS, 2021). NHTS discovered in a survey of high school students that thirty-nine percent had texted while driving in the preceding 30 days.

Distracted driving is preventable. Driver education is imperative for new drivers because successful training programs can provide defensive driving instruction and education about accident types, safety regulations, traffic regulations, maintenance, and traffic laws. This training reduces the risk of an accident or death. A driver education program also reduces insurance rates, improves mechanical knowledge, teaches road rules, increases awareness of drug and alcohol issues, teaches defensive driving techniques, and increases personal responsibility for drivers.

While I have decided, as someone neurodivergent, I do not currently want a license, I will help others avoid operator distractions instead. I vow that when I start driving, I will follow those same guidelines. I promise to continue sharing information intended to prevent unsafe driving practices.

My grandfather and great-grandfather (grandmother’s side) were retired sheriff’s deputies and Marines who served in multiple wars. Both were strong advocates of abiding by LEGAL driving practices and drilled them into our family while educating us on the repercussions of distracted driving. Just before I was adopted, my grandparents entered my life. I have received lessons in road safety from them since. My parents also serve as volunteers with our local emergency services, so I have heard the horrors of what happens when people make mistakes while driving. I have attended multiple driving seminars with my parents and accompanied my brother to a teen driving class when he was preparing to get his license. Benjamin Franklin stated (1736) that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” meaning that working to stop something before it happens is easier and more effective than waiting to resolve or recover from it in the future. Therefore, I am committed to staying educated on the consequences of distracted driving and knowing how to prevent it in myself and others.

Driving is a skill that requires a driver’s full, undivided attention. I vow to refuse to multitask when driving and to speak up when I see others doing it – I know that drivers should adjust their mirrors and music before beginning. My grandfather always insisted that everyone buckle up for safety. I learned at an early age that he would not start the car until he heard every occupant say “click” to indicate that we had all fastened our safety belts. Drivers should not eat, make a call, text, email, check social media, or adjust the GPS. As a passenger, I always volunteer to do these tasks for my family and friends. I vow to use my voice to remind other drivers politely of safety rules.

As someone on the autism spectrum, I struggle with focus, so I have decided to wait until I am more mature to begin driving myself. I know I can help other drivers while I am their passenger. I know my state’s rules and consequences for driving while distracted, and I have heard or read true-event stories that I can use to insist that a driver pay attention to the task at hand: arriving alive.

Forty-eight states now have texting and driving laws (Bankrate, 2022), yet 660,000 drivers annually report still using their cell phones while driving (NHTSA, 2019). Thirty-five percent of teens admitted to texting while driving, even though 94% said it was dangerous (Ibid), so more education for teenagers is warranted.

Drivers who attend a driver education course can earn a discount of up to twenty-five percent. Learners can understand car concepts and learn simple maintenance, e.g., how to change a tire. Experts explain the rules of the road and the laws, and often, trainees can ask questions and gain insight from visiting presenters. (When I accompanied my brother, several insurance agents presented to our group.) Some activities focus on drug and alcohol use, and trainees watch videos of horrifying wrecks that have happened to raise driver awareness. Drivers can learn defensive driving techniques, including how to avoid crashes, handle inclement weather, and identify and avoid aggressive drivers. Teens in driver’s education learn the personal responsibilities of having a driver’s license. At the end of the course, the new driver can walk away feeling more confident about their abilities as a new driver. In addition, they will have a more comprehensive understanding of cars and safety regulations.

The only accident I experienced happened a month before everything shut down due to COVID. My mom and I were traveling to an educational show in Atlanta. It was raining when a car came down the ramp too fast for the conditions. The driver was putting on makeup and did not see that we had stopped at the red light at the bottom of the exit. We could not turn right because there was oncoming traffic to the left of the driver’s side. The driver behind us assumed we were still moving and never slowed. They hit us hard enough to destroy our bumper. My mom and I both needed X-rays. I was very sore for a week. My mom is disabled, and her neck and shoulders were injured. She was barely able to attend physical therapy once before everything shut down. She has suffered for more than two years. The other driver, despite being cited for multiple driving infractions, lacked proper insurance. As a result, my mom never had the bumper repaired or received further care for her neck and back. She is still in pain three years later, all because someone was distracted and driving too fast for the conditions. That incident solidified my decision to continue advocating for everyone to drive safely.

Teens should take driver’s education. It will reduce their auto insurance and teach them about simple car maintenance and the rules of the road/laws. It will also educate them on drug and alcohol driving concerns, defensive driving, and personal responsibility. It will give them personal confidence in driving. People will need to be reminded even after they take the class. I would continue to help educate others by sharing anti-texting statistics, safety solutions, and true accident stories. I vow to drive without distractions when I get a license and speak up when needed. Too many unwarranted accidents and deaths happen when people abuse their driving privileges. We should continue to educate every driver to prevent future accidents and deaths.