Distractions Lead to Death

Distractions Lead to Death

Deaths as a result of driving have continued to be among the highest causes of death in America. Despite each driver going through driver education and the laws that are in place, distracted driving continues to be a shadow of death. Driver education creates a baseline of knowledge each driver must know.

Driver education teaches future drivers how to properly drive and the laws that govern the roads. Without driver education, there would not be a baseline of information each driver knows and understands. Each driver should at minimum be able to drive safely and understand the laws of driving before they are able to drive on the road. The laws that govern the roads are in place to keep us safe while traveling from destination to destination. Speed limits keep us from going an unsafe speed and endangering those around us. The lines on the road divide the cars to keep us from running into each other. Stoplights control the flow of traffic and allow cars to pass through intersections safely. If everyone was to follow the laws and drive safely, the number of deaths as a result of driving would decline. Along with knowing the laws, drivers have a responsibility to drive safely and undistracted. If drivers were to put their phones away while at the wheel and keep their eyes on the road, distracted driving would decrease greatly along with the number of deaths caused by distracted driving.

Driver education teaches people how to properly drive and the laws that govern the roads. Without driver education, there would not be a baseline of information each driver knows and understands. Each driver should at minimum be able to drive safely and understand the laws of driving before they are able to drive on the road. If everyone was to follow the laws and drive safely, the number of deaths as a result of driving would decline. If drivers put their phones away while at the wheel and kept their eyes on the road, distracted driving would decrease greatly along with the number of deaths caused by distracted driving.

It took me until I was seventeen years old to get my license. Because of this, I relied heavily on my friends and family to drive me to places I needed to be. I often drove with my best friend who has a habit of using her phone while driving. There have been multiple times where she has texted or changed the song on her phone and her car has swerved. Although she has never been in a crash, there have been multiple times where I have been fearful of the chance because of her distracted driving. Her distracted driving has helped me realize the importance of keeping your focus on the road. One small swerve could be the cause of an accident and someone’s death.

As a driver on the road, it is my responsibility to drive safely. In order to eliminate distractions, I can put my phone in my glove compartment and choose my songs prior to driving. By putting my phone in my glove compartment, I am making sure that my phone screen will not light up with notifications and take my eyes off the road. Picking my music prior to driving prevents me from having to take my hands off the wheel to change the song or station. These are just two of many ways I can eliminate distractions while driving. As long as I keep my eyes on the road and hands on the wheel, I am doing my part to decrease deaths due to distracted driving.

Ultimately, by eliminating distractions while we drive, we are decreasing the number of deaths caused by driving. It is our responsibility to drive safely and honor the lives of not only ourselves but those around us.