Drive and Stay Alive

To Drive and Stay Alive

We’ve all been there, the boring drivers education class, lights dim, car crash videos, the “drunk goggles,” but do we really grasp how important it will be? As teenagers we anticipate that new, exciting taste of freedom that driving grants us, never thinking about the impact it could lead to. We are granted with this knowledge and statistics while excitement gets in the way of it all.

Young adults (myself included) tend to look at drivers ed as just another required class, learning about topics we will only need to pass an exam, while drivers ed is so much more than that. We all have heard the timeless “don’t text and drive,” but I bet you can count a handful or more of your friends and classmates who do so. In society today social media has taken over, so much that we are willing to risk our lives for a Snapchat or see the latest “finsta” drama. According to TeenSafe.com, 69 percent of drivers as of January 2019 have admitted to using their phone while driving (“Texting and Driving Crashes”). They add that using your phone while driving increases the cause of a crash by 23 times. Scary statistic, right? Crashes involving phones are not only dangerous to young drivers, but dangerous to everyone around them. This information is so important and after reading more into crashes involving phones, it has certainly impacted the way I drive and the way I see my friends driving.

In my opinion, I think in the case of driving, knowledge is power. When taking steps to stop texting and driving it is important for students to have the knowledge about crashes and statistics. As students, we need to listen and absorb the information we are given; thinking you “won’t be the statistic” isn’t going to cut it. Take the time to research what can happen when you take your eyes off the road or drive under the influence. Additionally, technology is part of the problem but does not have to be the whole problem. Instead of answering that Snapchat or checking your Instragram, use the “Do Not Disturb” feature on your phone. “Do Not Disturb” can be used to only allow certain phone calls or important text messages. There is also a multitude of applications you can download to send auto-texts for you to keep you off your phone, so you don’t have to. If you really can’t wait, pull off to the side of the road to check your phone.

Personally, I have never been involved in a crash, but have witnessed uses of technology being dangerous from classmates. During my time in high school I witnessed (at least) two instances where students were on their way to school or work where they looked over to check their phone, crashing because of. Two students I remember spoke up about their crashes and how lucky they were to not be just another statistic and how they would have never thought of it until their crash. Hearing their stories is one of the main reasons I am so adamant about not using my phone while driving or witnessing my friends do so either.

As a young driver, the steps I take when I’m driving are using “Do Not Disturb,” and on a more phone note, making a playlist of songs I know I won’t want or need to skip. I have also learned that driving under the influence and driving tired are relatively similar, so I take the action not to participate in either of those either. As for my friends, they will tell you I’m the first to answer a text, change the song for them while they drive, or be the designated driver.

The most important note I want to stress from this essay is that safer driving is staying alive driving. Worrying about being “cool” or “fun” are not reasons to lose the rest of your life over.

Works Cited

“Texting and Driving Crashes Facts and Statistics.” TeenSafe, 19 Feb. 2019, teensafe.com/texting-and-driving-crashes-facts-and-statistics/.