Why I Can’t Text And Drive

Addyson Woodman

When I first started driving my dad was insistent on teaching me how to drive defensively. As I learned to drive he taught me the important aspects of safe driving, such as, looking beyond the car in front of you, scanning all intersections before proceeding, even with a green light, and ignoring distractions such as cellphones and the radio. As a new driver, I was different than most teenagers. I was determined not to make the mistakes that many new drivers make. I wanted to be responsible and was truly afraid of hurting others or myself if I didn’t pay careful attention to my driving.

As a teenager, and a new driver, I wanted to help reduce the number of deaths related to driving, by doing my best to drive safely. I always keep my cell phone in my purse and have it turned off. I don’t want to be enticed by the ding of a new text or a call. If I need to use my phone for navigation, I always enter my destination prior to leaving and set it on the seat while siri dictates directions to me. I made a promise to myself, and my parents, that I would never text and drive. One of the main reasons I made this promise was due to a video I saw. It was made by a young woman that was badly burned. She had several high school students interviewed about texting and driving by her friend. As her friend interviewed the teenagers, they related to her how they sometimes would text and drive. Some realized it was dangerous but admitted that they can’t help but look at their phone. After all of them had admitted to texting and driving at some point, the young woman that was badly burned immerged. She explained to them that on the way to her college graduation she was in a car accident. She, and her parents, were hit by a teenage driver that was texting and driving. Her parents died instantly and she was badly injured and burned in the accident. Immediately, many of the high school students started to cry. Some hugged her and apologized. All of them vowed to NEVER text and drive again. What was supposed to be a wonderful day of celebration was ended by someone that could not wait to text “LOL”.

This video has always affected me, and the decisions I make while driving. I am constantly getting after my friends, and sometimes even my parents, for being distracted by their phones while driving. I try to relay this story to others and share the video with them. Sometimes seeing the possible affects of your decisions is the only way to keep you from making bad ones. I know that the video impacted me and I hope by sharing my experience of simply watching it will make others think before texting and driving.

That young college graduate will never have her parents see her walk across the stage and receive her diploma. They won’t see her get married, have children or be there for any other milestones in her life. I can only imagine how that young teenage driver feels. My pain for her is equally at great as my pain for him.