Hands on the Wheel Eyes on the Road

According to the CDC, at 55 miles per hour, sending or reading a text is like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.

Driver Education can teach new and upcoming drivers the rules of the road and the importance of driver’s safety. In my opinion, when students take drivers ed they need to learn more of the important aspects like keeping your eyes on the road and not on your phone. I know so many of my friends that will think it’s ok to take a quick look at a snapchat or a picture, but in those couple of seconds someone’s life could end. Social media has taken over teen drivers lives. Every time the alert goes off that they have a snapchat or a text it doesn’t matter what they are doing they grab their phone. That includes while they are driving, in class, walking, etc. Another thing I think that teachers should stress the importance of is their radio. Teenagers these days don’t use just the radio, they like to get in their car and hook their phones up to their radios and constantly switch songs. I am guilty of this myself, however I am realizing the importance of not taking my eyes off the road for music. We are taught certain rules in our driver’s education classes but that does not mean that they are the same in every state. My family travels a lot, and it would be beneficial to know more rules of the road in other states. I know that in Kentucky it is ok to talk on the phone while you drive but it is against the law in Illinois. Also, in Montana and Missouri anyone over the age of 21 can text and drive. I just find that so unsafe. For a state to basically say its ok to take your eyes off the road to text, is like saying its ok if you to cause an accident.

I think that a big step that can be taken to reduce the number of driving related deaths comes from a teens home life. They must have good influencers at home. Good role models and people that care enough to show them what is right and what is wrong. If a teen sees their parent or another family member texting and driving, drinking and driving, or not obeying the traffic laws they will think it’s ok for them to do that too. I have 6 other brothers and sisters and my parents are great role models. Because of them I know what to do and not to do when I’m driving and what will cause accidents if I do them.

When I was 13 years old, my grandparents were taking me, my brother, and my sisters to church and our car was struck in the side by a truck that failed to yield at a stop sign. The driver that hit us was known around town for getting into accidents because of reckless driving. Luckily no one was hurt, and the car was able to be fixed. It was the only accident I have been in, and it was very scary. I don’t think the driver was texting or drinking but I do think he wasn’t paying attention to his surroundings. It is so important to keep your eyes on the road but at the same time to watch your surroundings.

I think that by writing this essay it has made me think a lot about myself and how I can be a better driver. I am defiantly not going to worry about my music as much. I know recently with the holidays just driving to school or work I have become more agitated with the other drivers on the road. I will work on that. Everyone has a place to be, and I should not be in more of a hurry than the other drivers on the road. I think the most important thing I can do is teach my siblings and others the importance of safe driving. Letting them know its not ok to text and drive or drink and drive. Their lives and the lives of the drivers matter so much.

The National Safety Council reports that cell phone use while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes each year. Nearly 390,000 injuries occur each year from accidents caused by texting while driving. 1 out of every 4 car accidents in the United States is caused by texting and driving.

We all need to work together to make sure everyone arrives safely to their destination. Also, teaching others the importance of safe driving will benefit everyone on the road.