Distractions will be the Death of me

Check the left side mirror. Check the right side mirror. Check the rearview mirror. Scan your blind spot. Look forward. Pay attention to the lights. Observe the signs. Watch for animals and pedestrians. Notice the speed limit. Don’t forget to turn your signal on. Don’t crash… These were the thoughts revolving around in my head the first time I stepped into a car. 

To be a safe driver, you have to remember to do these things. To always act with caution and keep yourself in a safe position. And yet, 57% of the deaths of teenage passengers are caused by vehicles driven by another teenager. It doesn’t matter if someone is alert, they can easily be put in danger by another driver. So how is it possible to protect yourself from something you have no control over? Drive defensively. Err on the side of caution. Watch for other vehicles. Keep a safe distance from other cars. Check carefully before turning. Anticipate collisions.

Clearly, when you drive you have a lot to be aware of. But everything I’ve mentioned involves things on the road. What about inside your car? The booming music, laughing passengers, buzzing phones, spilled drinks, confusing maps: all are distractions. And distractions can be deadly.  In 2018 alone, 2,841 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. Imagine the damage done and the lives taken.

I still remember sitting in my driver education class, seeing these statistics for the first time. I was stunned at how easily a crash could occur. Driver Education not only taught me the rules of the road, but also shed light on the dangers of driving and helped me see the consequences of my decisions.  Through behind-the-wheel training, I was also able to gain road experience while having someone there to critique me and give me advice. This is especially beneficial to first time drivers, and can help influence their permanent driving habits.

To prevent distracted driving, drivers must avoid multitasking. Quite frankly, it is impossible to do without the quality of the action to be diminished. Your driving will worsen and your focus will disappear. So how can you prevent this? There are several options. Apps have been created that prohibit calls and texts, block audio features, and even update parents with helpful information such as speed and sudden stops. 

You can also set up music and maps beforehand, so that you are not fumbling with items while driving. Passengers also play a vital role. Keep distractions to a minimum, and try to assist the driver with navigation or other tasks. If you feel like your driver is distracted or under the influence of alcohol, speak up, or refuse to let them drive. 

It is also imperative that the government takes direct action to ensure the safety of passengers and vehicles on the road. They should work with individual states and local communities to address the education, health, and transportation factors that promote safe driving. 

I have never been involved in a car crash. This is partly due to luck, but is mostly a testament to how well my parents have educated me on dangerous driving and its consequences. It is impossible to guarantee that others will be responsible drivers. All you can do is take precautions and be aware of your own distractions.