As a current teenager, being able to drive is one of the greatest privileges in the world. I constantly want to go on roadtrips and drive around with friends. But besides all the fun that driving may provide, there are a lot of dangers too. Teenagers like me, are more likely to do more immature things such as texting on the phone or eating while driving. This is why driving education is so important. It teaches teenagers and adults the importance of safe driving. Driving education helps ensure that people are monitored when they first begin driving because at the end of the day, cars are not toys. Cars can lead to a lot of injuries and even death if they are not used properly. To help alleviate the dangers from texting and eating while driving (my two biggest unsafe driving habits), I will listen to music of my choice, drive with a friend or family member that can monitor me while I drive, and always ensure I am parked before I eat.
The first way that I can reduce dangerous driving habits such as texting or using social media is by listening to music that brings me joy. As a teenager, I rarely use the radio in my car. I enjoy listening to my own music by using the bluetooth option. So, as a way to reduce the number of deaths from distracted driving, I will create playlists that are several hours long so that I don't have to reach for my phone at any point in time. Since I am able to use bluetooth everytime I drive, I can place my phone in the backseat so that I can still hear it buzz and ring, but I will be unable to actually grab it. While I hate to say it, after driving for a long period of time, it gets very boring. Music brings me comfort and allows me to feel very content inside. Moreover, if I place my phone out of my reach while I drive, there is no possible way to use it while driving. Additionally, music may help me from having the urge to use my phone while I drive. All in all, music is a great way to reduce my dangerous driving habit of texting while driving.
Another way that I can reduce the dangers of texting and using social media while in the car is by driving with a friend or family member to monitor me. Not only that, thinking about their safety and what could happen if an accident occurs will reduce the risk of using my phone as I drive. When we are alone at times, we may feel more inclined to do the wrong thing since no one is watching. This is why driving with another person will really help me reduce the dangers of texting and using social media while driving. Moreover, if I drive with someone, their life is also at danger if something bad happens. So this can give me an extra precaution to avoid my phone while driving. Most people already know about the wide array of dangers that can occur from driving a large vehicle. A CAR IS NOT A TOY. Although we may want to use it as a toy at times, cars are dangerous. It’s that simple. One accident, and that could be it. Those in the car with me could die if I get in an accident. Not only that, all our loved ones and friends may never get the chance to see us again if we endure a serious accident. Overall, driving with a friend in the future will help me reduce the risk of using my phone while I drive.
Aside from getting distracted by my phone in the car, I also tend to get distracted by the food I have. I don't know what it is, but I am always bringing food on the go while I drive. I often have to drive with one hand and look down many times to pick up and put down the food I have that day. This is immensely dangerous. To help prevent this from happening, I will ensure that I don’t bring food in the car. Or, I will place my food in the back seat so that I don’t have to touch it at all.
In addition to this, since I absolutely love food (especially buying fast food and other junk food), maybe I can start rewarding myself in the future if I go a week or two without eating while driving. Stopping to reward oneself with a small treat can be a great way to reduce the risk of eating while driving. Moreover, if I am really hungry in the car and need to eat, I can always find a safe parking spot to enjoy my food. While a person should never eat and/or drink while driving, they can always park their cars somewhere safe so that they can eat their little snack. But I must always remember that I have to park my car safely before enjoying my snack.
All in all, car accidents are not rare and occur too often. Accidents can be very dangerous and can even be lethal. So listening to music, driving with a friend or family member, and stopping my car somewhere to eat a snack are just a few out of the many ways that I can reduce dangerous driving habits, such as using my phone or eating while driving.
Moreover, taking a driving education course and driving with caution every single day will help lower the number of deaths from driving irresponsibly.