Dangers of Careless Driving

Dangers of Careless Driving

The impact of texting and driving or using Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram or other forms of social media can be devastating to the driver, family and community.  I believe the most impactful way to prevent dangerous driving habits is to witness firsthand this devastation and the long term consequences. Volunteering at WVU hospitals has shown me the consequences of car accidents including those that are the result of texting and driving and those as a result of careless driving and speeding.  I believe drivers, especially young drivers, should be required to volunteer in an emergency department prior to getting their drivers license in order to see the impact of car accidents from texting and driving and overall careless driving.  

What I have seen in the trauma clinic is not only the people involved in the actual accident are impacted but the families of the patients as well.  Occasionally in horrible accidents the emergency responders including ambulance drivers can be emotionally scarred. Both the physical and emotional damage for patients, families and communities can be devastating.  Sometimes even seeing little kids after car accidents they will have long term issues from the careless choice of another person texting and driving.  Witnessing and hearing the stories of car accidents has definitely made me choose to never text and drive.  No text is important enough to hurt or even kill another person.  

Not only have I made the choice to never text and drive or drive carelessly but I have told my friends and family as well about this choice as well. I have even taken the phone from my friends if they reach for it in the car and asked them to slow down.  The stories I have shared, I believe have impacted them as well.  A few of my friends have taken up my offer to volunteer in the trauma clinic and they too have seen or heard about the impact of texting and driving or driving carelessly. Some of the stories the doctors and nurses share about driving accidents are horrifying.  We have all witnessed scenes on the news as well.  Now when we are in cars, my friends and I  have even witnessed someone drifting off of the road and when we get close we all bet they are texting and the driver usually is.  This is seen in both young and old drivers.

I believe that what would really make drivers top texting and driving is to volunteer in a trauma clinic or emergency department.  Especially this is important for younger drivers prior to getting their permanent license but could also be used for older drivers committing driving offenses or in need of volunteer or community service.  Driving is a privilege and should be handled with respect.  Car accidents that are truly accidents do happen but many are do to careless driving including speeding and texting and driving.  We should do everything in our power to prevent unnecessary accidents.

Shannon Watkins