Thankfully, I can say that distracted driving has never made a significant negative impact upon my own life, but that is not the case for all teenagers. Over the past decade, smartphones have rapidly gained popularity among teenagers like myself, becoming very common and often necessary in daily life. However, while we have come to appreciate and rely on the conveniences of cell phones, many have struggled with the urge to use them while behind the wheel.
Although there are many dangerous driving habits that should be avoided, such as speeding, driving while under the influence, or tailgating other drivers, distracted driving is by far the most consequential driving habit, leading to hundreds of deaths each year. To deter both teenagers and adults from texting while driving, major cell phone companies have curated advanced technology to assist drivers with staying focused while on the road. Many experts recommend putting cell phones out of reach from the driver's seat, such as in the backseat or trunk, in order to deter drivers from reaching for them. Car manufacturers have also developed technology that allows for hands free phone calls, allowing drivers to have a line of communication while keeping their eyes on the road and their minds attentive to their surroundings. 
While these types of technology can be great assets to drivers who want to prevent themselves from becoming preoccupied while driving, they are not exact solutions to the problem at hand. Many teenagers do not actually perceive the dangers of texting and driving, so turning on “Do not Disturb” may not seem necessary. As a society, we can keep creating technology to deter people from using their cell phones, but that doesn’t ensure that they will actually take advantage of such helpful technology. More needs to be done to change the ways that people think and respond to the possibly dangerous consequences of irresponsible actions.
Even though teenagers are constantly told that texting and driving can have fatal consequences, teens often go through life with the mindset that it “won’t happen to me,” and believe that these occurrences of cell phone related crashes are extremely rare. On the other hand, it seems as if now more than ever, teenagers are becoming increasingly aware of the dangers of driving while intoxicated. This is because there is extensive education surrounding substances, with programs such as D.A.R.E. Authority figures constantly reiterate the negative effects of peer pressure, doing drugs, or bullying others, but they rarely reiterate the negative impacts of distracted driving. I feel that this is an area where we can make improvements in society that would have long-lasting effects.
While driving while under the influence is never safe or acceptable, many teens do not realize that they are six times more likely to cause an accident while texting and driving than while driving after drinking. To start combating the issue of texting and driving, education is key. We must change the mindset of “checking one text won’t hurt” to the mindset of “checking one text isn’t worth risking another’s life, or even my own.” 
I think the best way to get people to make smart choices while driving is continuous education. All schools need to recognize and highlight the importance of nipping distracted driving in the bud by educating impressionable, young students. By gathering for assemblies in which there is open conversation about the real-life dangers of cell phone use while on the road, more students will think twice before picking up their cell phones. They will feel more comfortable and confident reminding other teen and adult drivers to put down the phone to ensure that everyone is safe.
An informative, whole school assembly about distracted driving needs to directly present the potential negative consequences by providing a memorable and lasting mental image for teenagers. Perhaps hearing the stories of families who have lost loved ones to distracted driving would serve that purpose, as well as make an urgent plea to keep your eyes on the road at all times. Additionally, social media has become an integral part of life for teenagers; it has the ability to reach many individuals of all ages, and the ability to make a lasting impact. It should be utilized positively to endorse campaigns that urge people to stop distracted driving. 
Teenagers are always being told what to do, but they also need to be reminded of what NOT to do. The intended lesson about not driving with distraction would be stronger if teens heard it more often. They also need to see the faces of people whose lives have been devastated  by one negligent moment. It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words; you need a powerful and poignant image blasted all over social media to remind teens of one word at the moment when they are considering picking up the phone- DON’T!