Name: Natalie Kim
From: Midlothian, VA
Votes: 1
Having
just completed junior year without a license and relying on my
parents and peers for rides everywhere, I am more than a little
anxious to finish my drivers ed and gain the independence
that comes with driving. However, this newfound freedom that new
drivers experience everyday also comes with huge responsibility that
many fail to recognize. Drivers ed is important because of
how many people it impacts and because it sets the foundational tools
for driving before allowing students to actually go on the road. By
giving instructions on things like car maintenance and what to do in
emergency situations, it helps to prevent an even larger number of
deaths from occurring by preparing the driver on how to act
appropriately. However, in the drivers ed course I took,
there were few warnings of the dangers that lie in distracted
driving, especially with phones and other technology, and while it
seems like common sense to not multitask when driving, teens have a
false sense of security surrounding their abilities and may not be
adequately warned of the drastic effects that distracted driving can
have on themselves and others. I have several friends who have been
in accidents, and after talking with them about what happened, it
seemed like the largest factor were all of the distractions from the
technology accessible only fingertips away from the wheel.
Not
only are teens affected, but so are adults who, because they
typically have more experience on the road, are more likely to get
away with distracted driving without experiencing any negative
repercussions. However, young adults are perceptive and if they see a
trusted adult feel comfortable checking their phone, texting,
calling, and generally being occupied with other distractions like I
have, they will pick up on this behavior and think that it’s
acceptable for them to replicate their actions. This is a huge issue
that parents fail to recognize and is the first step in reducing
accidents and deaths as it not only sets a good example for new
drivers who are still learning to process their surroundings, but it
is also safer for the adults on the road who might think that they
have mastered the act of driving.
Driver’s
education already helps tremendously to keep drivers safe but could
be even more effective if modern warnings and protocols were taught
to explain how distractions affect the driver’s reaction time and
the negative effects it could have on others. As a passenger, I can
encourage family members and friends to hand me the phone, change the
radio station, and plug in the directions for the gps and as the
driver, I can be more willing to let others do those tasks for me,
even if I think that I can handle them. These may seem like small
chores but it can make a world of a difference on the road and by
eliminating each distraction as it arises, it helps to keep the
driver, passengers, and others that much safer.
