About 2 and a half years ago one of my best friends' lives was changed forever. Her little brother was hit and killed by a drunk driver. I will never forget my parents sitting me down and telling me her little brother, who she loved so dearly, was gone. It was heart wrenching to see this amazing family go through something so hard, something so unfair. Her little brother was biking to a nearby grocery store and was crossing a crosswalk when a drunk driver hit and killed her little brother. The driver was so intoxicated he didn’t even realize what he’d done and kept on driving. He didn’t even realize he had just taken someone's life. Their lives completely changed forever and there was nothing they could do about it. I did my best to support and be there for my friend. I went to the viewing and offered hugs and comfort as best as I could. Friends and neighbors lined their streets with luminary lights. Everyone came together to show this family how loved and supported they were. I feel so proud of my friend and her family and how they came out on top of this extremely hard trial. The next year they had a memorial and remembrance of her brother at the place he was killed. It was amazing to go and support her and her family, but also to see all the support the family had from the community. Later the family went on to change the street name in remembrance of her little brother, and as a reminder of what happened, a reminder to not drive under the influence for your own safety as well as the safety of those around you. Their family is so strong and handled the situation with more grace than I could ever imagine. But they still hurt and feel the pain of their loss everyday, and probably will for the rest of their lives, all because someone made a choice. They chose to drive under the influence.
Distracted driving is driving while doing anything that takes your attention away from focusing on driving. So what can we do to prevent distracted driving? First it starts with us, we can make a choice to drive safely and not to drive distracted. We can be an example to others in the car with us, other drivers on the road, and the younger generation. When others are in your car make it a priority to be focused on the road and don’t give into the distractions and temptations around you. Our example has the power to make a difference. So let’s make a difference and set a positive example and not drive distracted. Let's make a choice to commit ourselves to safe driving.
So what else can we do to prevent distracted driving? I believe an effective solution to helping prevent distracted driving would be to put up reminders on the roads and entrances and exits to parking lots, neighborhoods, stores etc. reminding drivers not to drive distracted. Little reminders such as “put the phone away!” or “driving safe, keeps you and others protected on the road.” I think spreading these messages across roads would help give quick and easy reminders to drive safely and responsibly! I personally have seen a few of these signs on the freeways and the gentle reminder brings my focus back to the road because I remember how important safe driving really is. While there are a few of these signs along freeway overpasses I think we could incorporate them in greater amounts. Put them at entrances and exits of neighborhoods, schools, grocery store parking lots, gas stations, and more! The best thing about this solution is that it can’t hurt, the only possible outcome is a positive one! So why not try?
Distracted driving kills thousands and thousands of people a year. It is the small and simple steps that can help make a change. First and foremost it starts with us and our decision to make a choice to drive safely. Doing this keeps ourselves and those in our cars safe, and sets an example to younger generations. Next we can put reminders up in entrances and exits to grocery stores, gas stations, neighborhoods, and along roads! Doing this will raise awareness about safe driving, set the standard for what the norm should be, and help reinforce laws and regulations. It starts with us, we have the ability to make a change.