Eliminating Distracted Driving One Person at a Time

“Please, just tell me that you’re okay!” I sobbed on the phone to my best friend and she and my other friend had just been hit by a truck exceeding the speed limit passing five cars at once. Their car spun around and around and eventually rested in a ditch, but not before being crushed like a discarded piece of paper. The man responsible for this reckless act nearly killed all 7 people that were in the car. Unfortunately, this sort of reckless behavior is not uncommon. People who are late often forget that automobiles are extremely dangerous, especially when one’s focus is taken away from the roads, such as when they are late. Cars kill far more people than guns every year! After hearing this fact, people are shocked! “How could this be?” they ask themselves, “How are 16-year-olds allowed to operate a machine that kills more people than a device that 18-year-olds have to jump through countless hoops to obtain?” It seems to be that there is a lack of education in the safety and operation of moving vehicles. Driver education is becoming increasingly necessary as the death rates rise by distracted drivers. Something must be done to reduce the fatalities in the United States.

It is infuriating to witness drivers looking down at their phones and glancing up at the road every few seconds. It is a disregard for basic human life. People are not oblivious to the fact that cars are dangerous. They are oblivious to the fact that they are contributing to the numbers by allowing distractions near them or inviting said distractions to entertain themselves while cruising. Steps need to be taken. Changes must be made. The first step is to spread awareness of the magnitude of fatalities that automobiles present. If drivers knew the numbers and personal testimonies of those affected, then our world might just be a safer place. Another example of a change that could be made is using by using satellites. These units can detect when a car is in motion and restrict the apps that are often the most tempting to drivers, such as texting and Snapchat. This solution would use technology similar to Life360 or Apple Driving. This solution or a similar resolution would drastically decrease the number of deaths in America today, due to distracted driving. Additionally, the charge for distracted driving (specifically in Georgia, my home state) should be increased to more than a small fine. An innocent text to a friend about lunch plans might turn into plans with a jury after hitting an innocent pedestrian.

Personally, I have witnessed people around me be distracted while driving. In particular, my sister and I were driving with a friend to cross-country camp. His dad was driving. He kept engaging in conversation with us and was not paying attention to the road. He was also speeding many miles over the speed limit. This terrified me because I truly thought we would crash. It is not uncommon to see people at red lights on their phones, or worse, texting while moving. This is a blatant disregard for the lives in the cars next to them. It shows that they do not care if the other drivers get injured or killed. It is extremely selfish and dangerous.

Steps I have taken to be a safer driver on the road are always putting my phone in the backseat or in my backpack when driving to ensure a text or call does not divert my attention. I also put my phone on silent mode to not be distracted. If I am listening to music, I turn the volume extremely low and never play music when driving others. If I am driving friends, I do not directly engage in the conversation, as the road is my first and only priority. These steps help me to ensure that my attention is on the road and the actions of those around me. I am grateful to also have parents that are passionate about eliminating distracted driving and they help keep me accountable.

I believe that if others truly realized the dangers of a moving vehicle, that alone would tremendously reduce the number of crashes. If drivers would part with their phones for a short time and focus on the road, thousands of lives would be saved and thousands more parents would not have to close a casket with their child inside. Distracted driving must be reduced. The chances of distracted driving being completely eliminated are slim to none, but we each must do our part to stop the death toll of talented, and loved individuals who were hit by someone who was distracted.