Destination Distraction

Destination Distraction

“Oh I just got a text message!” We are driving across the country with a family friend for summer vacation. She keeps checking her phone while driving down the highway as we make our way toward our destination. 

A couple of years ago, my family and another family drove across the country together for vacation. The mother, when driving, had a bad habit of checking her phone and was often distracted by reading and answering texts. When she took driver’s education 30 years ago, the dangers of texting while driving weren’t discussed. The curriculum did not focus as much, if at all, on the dangers of irresponsible driving, meaning the students enrolled in these classes never learned about the dangers of distracted driving.

Driver’s education is crucial in reducing the number of deaths as a result of irresponsible driving. A quality driver’s education informs students on the rules of the road as well as road safety practices. Specifically, drivers education focuses on distracted driving – one of the leading causes of crashes and death in motorized vehicles. Classes on driver’s education teach drivers laws related to distracted driving and their possible consequences, both legal and otherwise. While it is important to know the legal ramifications of distracted driving, it is essential that new drivers understand consequences to themselves and those around them if they drive distracted. With driver’s education, students will learn that distracted driving can cause damage to the car and roads, but most importantly could cause harm or death to one’s self or others. Behind the wheel driving lessons provides a space for students to practice managing distractions they might face while driving, including events outside, music or passengers in the car. A driver’s instructor can monitor the situation and warn students of possible distractions so they know what to look for when driving on their own.

The best way to reduce deaths related to distracted driving is to remove distractions all together. One of the most common examples of a distraction is cell phones. A simple and easy way to avoid this distraction is to leave your cell phone face down, or put away where it cannot be seen. Without being able to see the notifications from the cell phone, driver’s will be less likely to pick it up or use it while driving. 

Unfortunately, I have witnessed irresponsible driving while I was in the car. I was particularly concerned about the woman driving on our vacation because there were so many people in the car, four of us being young adults who would soon be driving on our own. If she had crashed the car, she would not only put herself in danger, she would endanger everyone else in our car and the cars surrounding us. To make matters worse, she became a distraction to others while they were driving. When my mother drove, she would hold her phone out to share photos or posts, drawing my mother’s attention away from the road which she was trying to stay focused on.

 After this trip, my family and I had a long conversation about being safe while driving. We discussed how her actions put all of us at risk, and how irresponsible driving often does endanger more than one person. At the time, I had just earned my learner’s permit and couldn’t help but think of what a bad example she was setting. If an experienced driver like her swerved because she was picking up her phone, I couldn’t imagine what would happen if a new driver like myself tried to send a text message while driving. As a driver, I want to do my very best to protect myself, my passengers, and the cars around me, which is why I minimize distractions to the best of my ability.

While there are many examples of irresponsible driving, there are steps I can take to stay safe and encourage others to do the same. When I drive, I will reduce distractions as much as possible. I will place my cell phone in a location where I cannot see the screen, I will avoid eating while driving, and will allow others to change audio volume, etc so that my attention will be focused on the road. By taking these actions, I can lead by example and show those around me what safe driving looks like. In addition, I can inform my friends and family about the importance of safe driving. I will give tips for how to stay safe as well as inform them of the possible risks to irresponsible driving. On a larger scale, public service announcements can create widespread awareness for the cause and gain public support for safe driving practices.

“Bing!” Another text.

“I’ll read that for you,” My mom offers. “Our kids will be driving soon. We need to be good role models for safe driving.”