In Grade 4, my class art project involved creating a contraption to protect an egg being dropped from increasing elevations. Unfortunately, my classmate’s egg cracked after one round of testing, leaving her distraught. In that instant, I knew I had to act. I offered her use of my contraption for the remaining rounds, and her despair quickly transformed into elation. In that moment, I realized that our actions can have a profound impact on the lives of those around us. Distracted driving is one such act, as it can result in catastrophic and life-altering consequences.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving claimed nearly 3,300 lives in 2023 alone. Likewise, an estimated 425,000 individuals were injured in motor vehicle incidents involving distracted driving in the United States. Indeed, taking one’s eyes off the road for even a split second has the ability to change a life forever.
As someone who crosses several busy intersections on my commute to school each day, I have often seen the dangers of distracted driving up close. Countless near misses with vehicles, often the result of distracted teen drivers, have instilled in me the importance of always remaining vigilant. These encounters also prompted me to frequently wear a fluorescent safety vest, to reduce my risk of falling victim to distracted driving.
Unfortunately, such moments have been experienced by nearly every person who has ever been a pedestrian or crossed a street. Oftentimes, I have read heartbreaking stories about those whose lives have been impacted by distracted driving, from children left without their parents to families grieving the loss of a grandparent. Witnessing a pressing need for change has strengthened my resolve to serve as an advocate for road safety.
Each weekday, after the clock strikes 3:00 p.m., hundreds of students (myself included) cross Capilano Road, a major arterial, on their way to the nearest transit stop. I noticed that students would cut across the road since there was no crosswalk on the way to the stop, with the hazardous situation creating traffic confusion and several collisions.
After all, the intersection is packed with large commercial trucks, parents picking up their children, and new teen drivers. Notably, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that the 15 to 20-year-old teenage age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted at the time of the fatal crashes.
Sensing the need for change, I wrote to the municipal government, outlining the urgency of an accessible pedestrian-activated crosswalk. The municipality responded to my concerns and construction was completed weeks later, creating a safer experience for the community.
This concept of community leadership is a core value of mine. In the future, I aspire to focus on addressing distracted driving by leveraging the power of biotechnology, an industry which is on the cutting-edge of road safety. Through my studies, I hope to gain the technical and leadership skills that will help turn this aspiration into reality. By pursuing a Bachelor of Science with a focus in biotech, I hope to cultivate a more equitable society and leave a lasting legacy.
For instance, biotechnology can advance innovations such as biometric steering wheels, which possess embedded sensors that can detect fatigue, distraction, and stress. Likewise, biometric monitors within the vehicle can also help determine when distracted driving occurs, based on factors such as grip changes, skin conductivity, and variability. Such sensors can provide real-time data that enables the vehicle to take real-time preventative measures and activate life-saving safety features. By helping to integrate such technologies into vehicles, I hope to create a safer environment for all.
While such technology-based innovations can often be effective, distracted driving is also a deeper social and cultural issue within our world. With the rise of personal electronic devices, such as cell phones, distracted driving has increased significantly. In fact, the National Safety Council has reported that nearly 1.6 million crashes are caused per year by drivers using their cell phones. In a society where many teens are willing to check their cell phone without regard for the potential consequences of distracted driving, it is clear that there is a need to shift the culture around driving.
As a result, we can address distracted driving through education and advocacy. Awareness of distracted driving can be raised through driver’s education programs, helping to foster a cultural shift. For instance, driving academies can utilize wearable electroencephalograms (EEGs) or heart-rate monitors to help students understand how distraction affects our body and brain. After all, meaningful experiences have the ability to positively alter personal habits for a lifetime.
It is my aspiration to become a changemaker who is not constrained by challenges, but instead turns obstacles into opportunities by pursuing innovative ways to solve problems. I hope to weave my passion for creativity, the arts, and voluntary service into my future involvement in biotechnology, as I address pressing challenges such as distracted driving. I strive to foster a safer world by leading with empathy and integrity, listening with an open mind, and valuing every perspective.
By uplifting marginalized voices, I envision cultivating a self-sustaining cycle of grassroots empowerment that ‘yields dividends’ for generations. As the philanthropist, industrialist, and humanitarian Ratan Tata once said, “if you want to walk fast, walk alone. But if you want to walk far, walk together.”