Cruising for the Future

“Cruising for the Future”

By: Sezim Minbaeva

We were late. It was a brisk summer day in Texas, and my friend’s mother was behind the wheel—furiously texting away an apology for being late to a long-awaited baby shower. She was so engrossed in her phone that she did not notice her gradual shift into the right lane until a blaring beep was heard from the car behind us. All was fine, but I definitely breathed a sigh of relief once we arrived at the baby shower.

My friend’s mother was one of the many who partook in distracted driving, one of the largest contributors to vehicle crashes that took an estimated 36,750 American lives in the year of 2018 alone. Even with advanced safety systems in new vehicles, drivers on the road need to acknowledge that car crashes can happen to anyone, with the need for drivers ed at an all-time high.

An easy way to ensure that you are taking preventative measures and being a safe driver on the word is by using the acronym “CRUISE” the next time you or your loved ones are behind the wheel.

CLEAR MIND.

Anything that can shift one’s attention from the most important task at hand, driving, can be dangerous. We commonly hear about drinking, drugs, and texting, but even being drowsy behind the wheel can cause fatal accidents. Take a few moments to breathe and concentrate on your surroundings; do not be one of the 10.8% involved in car crashes due to insufficient sleep.

RELYING ON OTHERS.

If you know that you are incapable of being a safe driver at the moment, it is better to call a friend or taxi to take you home. A friend will not mind the small inconvenience, and $30 is a small price to pay for your life. If you are already behind the wheel and need to send a text or look up directions, ask someone in the passenger's seat instead.

UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT.

This ensures that you are able to react to the drivers around you and prevent accidents. Newton said that “an object in motion tend to stay in motion” and slowing your speed allows for your object (the car) to stop moving, and worst case, not have as big of an accident.

INTENTION.

Think of your destination. Have intention. If you do not have the route memorized, plug it into your phone before getting behind the wheel and sync it up with your bluetooth so that your eyes never leave the road. If you like to listen to music or an audiobook set it up and make sure you can still hear everything around you. Apple has a great “Do Not Disturb” feature that automatically prevents calls or notification coming through while driving, and Android users can install the app “Driving Detective” for the same purpose. Figure out whichever works best for you.

SEATBELT.

Every year it’s estimated that 15,000 lives are saved when using a seatbelt. While on the topic of restraint use, make sure that your vehicle has passed all inspections for road safety and is ready for the future. If you think your tires need replacing, check them out. Running low on gas? Fill it up.

EXAMPLE.

Teen drivers have the highest percent chance of being in a motor accident, nearly four times that of drivers 20 or older. This is usually due to inexperience and reckless driving, highlighting how important it is for those around them to lead by example and show safe driving habits. However, this is not just for teens but for all drivers, be someone to look up to!

While driving can be relaxing and a convenient mode of transportation, it is also the driver’s responsibility to be aware of their surroundings and the people around them. Make sure to use “CRUISE” next time you cruise, and tell the people in your life about it too!

Sources

Distracted driving. (2019, May). Retrieved November 29, 2019, from Insurance Institute for Highway

Safety website: https://www.iihs.org/topics/distracted-driving

McDaniel, J. (2019, April 26). Driven to distraction? Here's how to stay off your phone in the car.

Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved from https://www.inquirer.com/news/

do-not-disturb-driving-distracted-texting-phone-20190426.html

National Center for Statistics and Analysis (2017, October). Lives

saved in 2016 by restraint use and minimum-drinking-age laws (Traffic

Safety Facts Crash•Stats. Report No. DOT HS 812 454).Washing

ton, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2019, May) Speeding:

2017 data (Traffic Safety Facts. DOT HS 812 687). Washington, DC:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Teenagers. (2019, May). Retrieved November 29, 2019, from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

website: https://www.iihs.org/topics/teenagers