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Drivers Ed Online – Checking Your Phone Takes a Minute, but a Crash Takes a Life

Name: Drake Zirkle
From: Brunswick, Ohio
Votes: 0

Checking Your Phone Takes a Minute, but a Crash Takes a Life

Checking Your Phone Takes a Minute, but a Crash Takes a Life

A good friend of mine was almost killed by a distracted driver when she was young. One day, she was walking with her friend next to the road because there was no sidewalk. While walking, she tripped and fell into the road. A car was driving down the road, but the driver did not see her because he was on the phone. Luckily, my friend managed to get out of the way before she got hit. To this day, she has a scar from when she hit the road and puts her feet up on the seat when she is in a car because she fears feeling the road.

Being distracted while driving is extremely dangerous. Almost everyone has heard that texting and driving is wrong, but do not understand just how bad it is. NHTSA’s Office of Behavioral Safety Research even says that “30% of drivers ages 21-34 said texting has no impact”. Unfortunately, this is not the case. According to a AAA Foundation study, distraction was a factor in almost six out of ten moderate-to-severe teen crashes. These statistics show that the perceived risk of texting and driving is far less than the actual risk.

The dangers go beyond just texting. There are still many people who do not believe texting and driving is dangerous, but the idea is starting to become more mainstream. Many phones and cars are now offering hands-free systems to keep drivers from looking away from the road or occupying their hands. Unfortunately, research shows that these systems are not effective. Even drivers who are having a conversation or a phone call increase the risk of a crash occurring. According to the National Safety Council, drivers on the phone “look [at] but fail to see up to 50 percent of the information in their driving environment”. Since the drivers’ minds are occupied with the phone call, they cannot process everything in their sight. This is arguably a larger concern than texting and driving because most people are not aware that talking and driving is dangerous. A AAA Foundation survey showed that over two-thirds of respondents said they talked on the phone while driving during the past thirty days. AAA research also shows that cell phone use while driving is significantly increasing over time. This information shows that talking on the phone is not only a giant problem now, but it will continue to grow if nothing is done about it.

Since distracted driving is so dangerous, steps should be taken to end it. Because so many people are unaware of the danger, the first and most important step is to make drivers aware of the actual risk of distracted driving. In 18 states, drivers ed is not even required to get a license. Every state should require drivers ed and should have a section on distracted driving. My classes mentioned that it was dangerous but only in passing. The National Safety Council states that distraction can have the same effect on walking it does on driving. One way to demonstrate the risks to teens could be to set up a mild obstacle course and have the students go through it. Once while talking on the phone, and once distraction-free. This way, students experience the difference instead of just being told about it. States should also make laws against using the phone and driving instead of just texting and driving. With these methods, distracted driving can be reduced, which would save many lives.

There are many ways an individual can improve their safety and others. One thing I like to do when driving is throw my phone in the backseat. This removes any temptation I could have to call or text someone. If I am a passenger, I offer to take a call or make a text for the driver if necessary. This lets the driver focus on the road but still communicate. It is also important to explain the dangers to friends that text or call and drive.

There are a lot of dangers phones can cause while driving. Most dangerous crashes are caused by distracted driving, and that needs to stop. Whether someone is sending a text or mmaking a call, they are putting themselves in danger. By educating ourselves and others, the road can be a much safer place.