Distractions and Death

Distractions and Death

As a driver, the realization that I am in control of something that can kill and has killed other people should be a part of our everyday life. Unfortunately, we have been numbed to such realizations because cars are a part of our everyday lives causing us to forget that driving a car can be dangerous. To become a driver, you need to be mature and know that, when you get in the driver’s seat, you are responsible for more than just your life. That is why driver education is an important part of becoming a driver. Not only does it teach you how to drive, it teaches you the responsibility you have when you become a driver which leads to reducing the number of deaths that occur because of car accidents. Some steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving includes a day of lessons just for the consequences of distractions. Something that can rattle serious and mature teenagers is the true stories of teenagers ruining their lives and the lives of others because of reckless driving or adults killing families because of drunk driving. Show students that there are safe and socially acceptable ways to be a responsible driver without being seen as “not cool.” Imagine being the cause of someone else’s death or injury all because of something as silly as a text message or a snap notification from a friend. The guilt that comes from that is not worth the reply that you were gonna send. No matter what it is, it can wait the ten minutes you are driving to get somewhere.

Once, on the way to a quiz bowl competition, my friend was driving and she got distracted by a very large church and I had to scream for her to stop because she wasn’t paying attention to the fact that the car in front of her stopped for a red light. The realization that we could have died or been seriously hurt if I wasn’t paying attention rattled us and showed that even taking your eyes off the road for a second can lead to big consequences. Another time, my friend wasn’t paying attention and ran a red light. This led to her being hit by another car and it landed her in the hospital. That mental distraction was enough for her to forget what she was doing and led to her getting hurt. Fortunately for her, there were no serious injuries. We are all human and make mistakes, but trying our hardest to prevent these mistakes from occurring can help decrease the probability of us getting into a car accident.

There are multiple steps that can be taken to make yourself a better and safer driver. One example includes putting your phone on driver mode. This inhibits your phone from sending you any notifications that will distract you while you are driving and whoever is texting you receives a message that you are driving and you will get back to them when you have reached your destination safely. If a family member has an emergency that can not wait for you to get to your destination, then they can triple text you and you will receive a notification. In addition to having your phone in driver mode, you should have a phone holder in your car that will hold your phone away from you while you are driving. This way you can see your phone screen from a safe viewpoint rather than looking down when you need directions. In addition, having your phone held by a phone-holder takes away the temptation to hold your phone yourself so you can text and check notifications on the road.

In the end, driving is a privilege and responsibility that needs to be taken seriously and with gratefulness. The consequence of someone else being injured or dying because of a small mistake you made is real and very likely to occur. Distractions can and have caused death, so be responsible and try your hardest to be a good driver.

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