Be Selfish and don’t take that Selfie

Be
Selfish and don’t take that Selfie

By Matthew Velilla

Why be unsafe on the road by
looking at that selfie that your friend posted, when you can be
selfish and so self-absorbed that you want to continue to live happy,
safe and healthy life when you’re driving down to that McDonalds
for that ten-piece McNuggets meal. Being young in a world so
distracted by social media and technology has had its downfalls.
Pressing that like button on a friend’s twitter post, or liking
that picture of Kim Kardashians Instagram post is totally acceptable
in one’s own time of leisure or even at a time of boredom, but it
is not acceptable to be on one’s phone while driving. It is
important to understand that a large portion of todays accidents have
been caused by a person distracted while on their phone. In a world
so dependent on technology the focus of any driver can be skewed. As
a society today, we are so dependent on our phones for communication
information and of course, entertainment. By educating todays youth
as well as the upcoming youth, about the climbing number of deaths
and injuries caused by phone related distractions, there can be hope
to reduce the amount of deaths caused by these helpful cellular
devices. If one is so reliable on one’s phone, Bluetooth settings
can be used to communicate to whomever the person wants, of course,
if the car is advanced enough to do so. Another suggestion that can
be taken is putting one’s cellular device on silent mode or just
shut down the phone as a whole, so one does not become distracted by
the hoots and hollering’s of those obnoxious notifications.

I myself have not experienced
a car crash but I have had friends and family get into car crashes
because the driver was so distracted on their phone. Because of this
time is wasted, money is wasted, and stress rises. Nobody wants to be
in an accident dealing with insurance companies, court and policeman
is a process that is completely unenjoyable.

For myself and other drivers,
I can prevent distractions by turning off or silencing my phone,
making sure that all my own personal messages and belongings are out
of sight and mind in order to keep my own focus on the road. Even
with Bluetooth connection although one is not communicating with a
phone int heir hands, it can still be a distraction that can affect
me and others around me.