Driving is one of the most exciting freedoms a young person receives, but it is also one of the most dangerous. Most kids dream of their 16th birthday in hopes of being given the privilege to drive or receiving a car. However, there are a lot of risk that comes with driving. Taking your eyes off the road for even two seconds can cause serious injury or death and each of us has likely experienced loss for this exact reason. Today, there are a lot of distractions inside of the car and too many avoidable mistakes like texting or controlling the music while driving. We do not think enough about the dangers of these distractions while driving because we have been used to using this kind of technology for our entire lives. This is part of the reason why drivers in my age group are the most likely to have accidents. We take pictures for Instagram, record a quick video for TikTok or return a quick message at a red light. We have to play the best songs and make sure the playlist does not stop until we reach our destination. We have to take our friends for a ride in the new car and hit all of our favorite spots. Though I can be guilty of it myself, the minute I see a phone in the hands of the person driving, I tense up and think about the consequences. Thankfully this has not resulted in much more than a missed turn, but we all know the dangers of distracted driving and there are a few steps we can each take to avoid them.
Technology is part of the problem, but it can be part of the solution if we choose to use it the right way. The vehicles we use now include touchscreens that have texting and calling apps, navigation, voice services and music streaming services. Awareness and technology together have allowed me to combat dangerous habits while driving. Picking up my phone is second nature, but I make sure that I am not tempted to do so. If I know I need to use the navigation system, I input the destination before leaving to be sure there is no need to update on the road. I usually create a playlist so that I can be sure there is no need to adjust the program while driving. Even though friends can be distracting, they can also be helpful as passengers to control the technology so that I do not have to divert my attention from driving. Most cars are equipped with hands-free calling, but it works better for me to temporarily silence notifications or place my phone on “Do Not Disturb” until I am finished driving. My family and friends understand that safety is more important than responding right away to their call or text. Technology is not the only factor that affects driving safety, but it is one of the biggest and we must stay vigilant of the dangers it poses.
A few other distractions that I am mindful of include eating and drinking, talking to friends, and even paying extra attention to my own mental and physical state. With a busy schedule it is hard to work in time to sit down every time I am hungry, but it is necessary to make sure that I am not trying to eat a meal behind the wheel as many of us do. I maintain discipline in my schedule and eating habits to avoid this distraction and will continue to work around my changing schedule. I try not to have too many passengers in the car while driving and I make sure that the friends who ride with me are aware of the need for an environment free from unnecessary distractions. Also being aware of other drivers around me. Another simple thing I do is make sure I check in with myself. If I have not slept enough for the drive ahead of me, I may adjust my schedule and leave at a different time or, in some cases, I will find a ride with a friend or family member that will get me there safely.
Distractions while driving are inevitable, but there are many steps we can take to make sure they are not life changing or fatal. Many of the things I choose to do before and during my daily commute are small and simple, but they can be the difference between life and death, and I will always choose life.