Ending Distracted Driving

Every 15 minutes, someone dies in a car crash. My school chose to cement this fact in our minds with a presentation we will never forget. We marched out to the stadium, knowing what we were about to be shown, but not fully understanding how impactful it would be. In front of us was a black tarp covering what we knew would be two cars simulating an accident. As it was pulled back, we saw students covered in blood, appearing as though they had been killed. A student I knew personally was lying on the hood of one of the cars. While we all knew it was not real, the emotions we were feeling certainly were. Many others have also witnessed a scene just like this one. However, their nightmare did not end when they walked away from the crash. For countless people, these accidents ended their loved ones’ lives. 

California currently has numerous laws preventing the use of electronic devices while driving, including to text. For instance, drivers can only use electronic devices hands-free while driving, and not at all if they are under 18. Despite these laws, texting and driving persists, leading to thousands of deaths each year. Legislation is one step towards preventing distracted driving, but other measures must be taken to stop these tragedies. Stricter punishments for violations, public awareness campaigns, and school programs are all ways texting and driving can be discouraged. 

The fine for a first offense of texting while driving in California is only $20, with a second offense fine being $50. While this can end up being over $100 with court fees and penalties, these amounts are still hardly enough to discourage most people from distracted driving. Jail time is extremely rare unless the incident results in an accident. At that point, it is often too late to prevent a tragedy. Because of this, these fines should be raised, and additional punishments should be added for repeat offenders, such as temporary loss of a driver’s license. With these additional consequences, more people will think before they text and drive. In California, reliance on a vehicle is extremely common, making the threat of not being able to drive highly effective. For young drivers or those facing financial hardships, many do not want to risk a fine. When risk of injury is not enough to stop distracted driving, legal action is the next step. 

Even with these punishments in place, they may not work fast enough to stop an accident. Also, not everyone will be discouraged by these consequences alone. Many people do not realize the danger that comes with distracted driving, which is why they continue doing it. In my own life, I have witnessed several of my friends and even my parents glance at their phone while driving, believing it is not a big deal. One way to fix this and ensure everyone understands the potential consequences is through public awareness campaigns. The state has already conducted several of these, such as the “Silence the Distraction” campaign from 2015. Additionally, many law firms and activist groups have published similar campaigns. These campaigns have proven effective so far, and creating even more can boost this impact. There are many ways these campaigns can be done, such as TV commercials or videos on social media so that they can reach as many people as possible. Regardless of their format, awareness campaigns are a valuable technique to end distracted driving. 

Young drivers are particularly susceptible to distractions from phones while driving. With the rise in social media, encouragement of distracted driving is unfortunately common. A lack of driving experience makes distracted driving even more dangerous. Because of this, introducing school programs to help discourage texting and driving is extremely important. My school conducted a presentation showing a simulated car accident, where it appeared as though several students had been killed. Though I knew it was not real, it still had a profound impact on me. Bringing similar presentations to other schools can also discourage other students from distracted driving. Making these presentations required by the state would be most impactful and ensure the programs are conducted appropriately. Additionally, requiring coursework where students learn about the dangers will also help discourage distracted driving. School programs are a crucial step towards ending distracted driving among young adults. 

Distracted driving will not be solved overnight, but these steps can help the number of accidents and deaths decrease. Current laws have already protected drivers, but additional measures must be taken to ensure everyone’s safety. Combining legal action, public campaigns, and school resources ensures that as many people as possible are reached by these efforts. By working together, no one has to suffer another loss due to distracted driving.