The Distractions Surrounding Car Crashes

During the past few years i’ve been into a maximum of 3 car crashes, all seeming to be completely different but thinking back they were all caused by the same problem. The person driving is getting distracted by either their thoughts, people around them, or technology close at hand. Humans can’t help but get easily distracted as it’s just who we are. For me, to be a safe driver you need to be able to combat the will of getting distracted, for the protection of others and yourself.

Driver’s education has the ability to teach you the steps of learning how to drive and the ideal way to drive safely. Although, it isn’t effective if people drive without the necessary information of driver’s education. We have this in society for a reason, but people take advantage of this because they think driving is a simple task. They don’t realize the dangers of car crashes that could cost them their life or the people surrounding them. Learning the basics and remembering them could easily save more lives than just driving because you can.

Even if people have done driver’s education there is always that disobedient side to all humans. We like having things done our way because we just don’t care and feel like we won’t get into any car crashes. I’m sure that for every person driving we have at least once been on our phones. Maybe we had an important call and needed to answer it, or maybe we had to clear up a mistake we had with our significant other. We always make up excuses to get to our phones because it’s mostly important to us at the time.

Even so, the use of technology isn’t the only problem that causes car crashes. Our train of thought also distracts us even when we don’t expect it. We focus on whether or not we forgot to lock the door at home, if we brought everything we need, where we are going, or if we get nervous while driving. I have personally been in a car crash when the person driving had forgotten where we were going to the first place, and when they made a quick turn to get back on track we collided with a moving car. Without getting our thoughts situated before getting in the car we have a likely chance of getting in a crash.

There is also the distraction of the people surrounding the driver. Having too many things happening inside the car could take the drivers eyes away from the road and to the people in the car. This is mostly a problem for parents that have their children in the backseat, or if the driver has friends in the backseat. People who are old enough have the same responsibility as the person driving because they have enough understanding to know the dangers.

The good thing is that these problems can be easily solved or at least have a better solution for them. The one for phones are more complicated than the rest because most of our lives surround technology. In case of an emergency we always want it close to us, but not too close where we have the urge to text our friends or relatives. If you know nothing important is happening that day, I’d first recommend putting it in your bag or sitting face down to the side turned off. If you know an important call is coming then i’d recommend putting your phone on do not disturb and only answer for calls and not text messages.

For train of thought, It’s important to focus on what you are doing at the moment and always get things situated before you get in the car. Having everything you need packed and checked for you won’t have to worry what could be missing or not. When you’re jittery, nevrouse, or sleepy it’s better to calm yourself down or sleep before getting in the car and start driving. You aren’t able to focus on the road when you have too many thoughts flying across your mind at the same time.

Lastly, keeping control of the distractions from other people or children. If you have a baby or child riding along with you, I know the problems of having to take care of them at all times can distract you when driving. Remember to pack anything you have that keeps them calm or distracted till you get to your destination, and if it gets too out of control to always pull over when you have the chance. The people older have a different responsibility though, remind them that you have to keep your eyes on the road and can’t be distracted. They have the same responsibility as you do to keep you and them safe.

Having the advice in mind could hopefully lead to a decrease in deaths from car crashes. Simply by keeping your phone away, focus your train of thought, and taking control of the commotion going on inside of your car can help you overcome the distraction. Remember that driving may seem like a simple task to you, but it comes with many different types of responsibilities and adjustments that rely on you.