Lessons on Distracted Driving

The importance of being a safe and educated driver is more important now than it has ever been. With more drivers on the road and an ever-growing list of distractions, driving has never been more dangerous. I believe that being a safe driver first and foremost starts with the knowledge that a vehicle can be a deadly object if not used properly. There is a wide experience range when it comes to drivers on the road. Some who have been driving many years and possibly picked up bad habits to those who are new drivers and may feel overwhelmed by the task. I was taught not only in my driver’s education class but also from a friend who was in a car crash, just how dangerous this seemingly simple task can be.

During my driver’s education class, I was shown videos of drivers who would get in crashes and how it not only affected them, but others as well. This is something we often overlook when we get behind the wheel. If we were to get into a crash, it would not only have a lasting impact on us, but our family & friends, and if we were to crash into someone else, it would affect them and their families lives. The statistics while I was in my class showed that many of the crashes were actually caused by various distractions. These distractions ranged from anywhere to children arguing in the back seat to a phone call, but all of them easily could have been avoided if the driver were paying attention to driving.

For instance, my good friend was actually in a car crash this morning and thankfully it wasn’t too serious, but still nonetheless could have been avoided. He was driving too fast with the music blaring, not paying attention to the road signs that were telling him to slow down. The road was curved and the roads were slick with water & leaves from last nights rainfall and he did not take these conditions into account. He approached the curve too fast and before he knew it, he was trying to correct his car but ended up overcorrecting it and ended up with his car on its side in the ditch. Had he been driving the speed limit & paying attention to the road conditions his car may not have slid as much and he would have had more time to gently correct his car.

After I went to get my friend after he crashed, we both had time to reflect upon the lesson that we had both learned regarding distracted driving. In driver’s education we are shown videos and given statistics of crashes as a sort of scare tactic, but does it really hit home? You never really realize the gravity of a car crash until you have experienced it yourself. We both thought what a great idea to have a simulation of a car crash in a driver’s education course. To really show how scary it can be to be in a crash. To show how much something as small as going 5mph over the speed limit can reduce our reaction time in possibly avoiding a dangerous situation. I believe that education is important in helping to reduce crashes due to distracted driving by showing just how dangerous it can be if we do not give it our full attention. We also need to utilize the technology we have been given, such as “Do Not Disturb” on our phones while driving or even the hands-free navigation systems. We all need to pay more attention to what is going on outside of our vehicles than what is going on inside of them and encourage others to do the same.