A second of distraction

The progression begins with an adolescent completely denying usage, then gradually glancing while stuck in traffic, and suddenly the teenager is constantly typing and staring at a cell phone while driving. Though many of my peers often fall into the trap of feeling invincibility, the truth is that distractions are deadly. 

Unfortunately, it takes many people a near- fatal experience to shift their perspective. For me, it was a dark night in January. As taught in drivers education, snowy and dark conditions bids drivers to slow their speed and increase following distance. My friend had recently gotten her license, and she drove us blissfully through town, unconcerned about the hazardous road conditions. We both possessed a new feeling of freedom that felt insurmountable as the music blasted in her black Jeep Wrangler. As she made a left turn, one hand held the wheel and the other held her phone to change the song playing. This mere second of distraction caused a lapse of judgment as she turned onto the wrong side of the barrier into the lane of an oncoming vehicle. I remember her screaming, the black Jeep swerving, and the oncoming car blaring its horn. My heart pounded in my chest as I feared the worst. After one of the most terrifying moments of my life, we thankfully avoided the near collision and she pulled safely into a nearby parking lot. She made the correct decision to exit the roadway, as tears streamed down both of our faces, which impairs the ability to drive safely and focused. Every since that night, I have eagerly encouraged my peers to put down the screen and focus on the task at hand, which is driving, as it is especially critical for new and inexperienced drivers to focus entirely on the road. Almost every peer I know can recall a time where they made a “mistake” or experienced a “distraction” while driving. Though driving in your teenager years offers a dramatic increase in freedom, that can all be taken in an instant from a poor decision. Modern technology offers a new barrier that must be overcome by educators in drivers education. In past decades, the prevalence of texting while driving was minimal to nonexistent, but it presents a pressing issue today. Hundreds of fatalities occur each year in the United States alone due to phone usage while driving. That means hundreds of individuals lost their lives last year from an entirely preventable cause. With that in mind, just as social media can act as a catalyst for distracted driving, it can also provide as an avenue to reach adolescents and send a message of encouragement to drive more safely. Education and advocacy are critical for a safer future, and numerous social media platforms can urge the youth to stay focused and present while behind the wheel.  The only hope in mitigate deaths caused by cellular usage while driving is to prevent the issue at its source. Adolescents must be aware of the risks associated with cell phone usage, knowing that their seemingly inconsequential choice to pick up their phone could be detrimental to their own life and the lives of others. 

The several instructors I worked with throughout my time in drivers ed taught me the importance of dialing all one’s focus into driving, especially as a young inexperienced individual. Everyone makes mistakes, but an error behind the wheel can turn into a matter of life and death. By putting all distractions out of sight and out of mind while driving, adolescents are multitudes more likely to stay safe and arrive at their destination. 

I believe students can shift their perspective before encountering a dangerous situation on the road through clear advocacy and attentiveness in drivers education classes and behind the wheel drives. During my first drive, the instructor strictly assessed my brake heavy tendencies leading to stoplights. As a perfectionist, I took this criticism negatively and felt it was unfair to be reprimanded for something that seemed to me as “trivial.” Looking back, this instructor instituted positive changes in my driving from her feedback. I actively avoided sudden or unnecessary braking after that instance, which may have helped me avoid a rear end accident after getting my license. 

The tools to safe driving success are given in class, but students must choose to put these skills into practice. Often, students dread sitting through a class or completing workbook activities, but these actions engrain valuable lessons into an adolescent’s mind. If students are well aware of the deadly consequences of distracted driving, they are less likely to pick up a phone when they get behind the wheel. It is essential to apply all lessons taught in drivers education to achieve driving excellence, because one second of distraction can make all the difference.