As a young person who holds a valid driver’s license, I find driving to be one of my favorite experiences. Being behind the wheel is such a liberating feeling, creating a feeling of invincibility within. Despite this feeling, when driving I am far from invincible. The dangers associated with fatal accidents increase tenfold when drivers become distracted. The most common cause of distracted driving is using a cell phone, of which I am guilty, however there are steps I can assume to ensure I become a safer driver.
I believe that better education in risk assessment is the solution to reducing the number of deaths associated with driving. Driving is a complex action, requiring the navigation of many tasks at once or in quick succession. Whether it be spatial awareness relative to other vehicles, or making sure the speed limit is maintained, awareness and brainpower are required. For young drivers this is especially important as they continue to learn and form the necessary brain pathways to perform these actions safely and efficiently. When teens are distracted while driving, they are diverting brainpower and awareness away from the task which leads to dangerous situations. Insufficient emphasis is placed upon explaining the associated dangers of distracted driving when learning to drive. Driving drunk is justly recognized as irresponsible. Most people would never admit to driving drunk but will admit to texting while driving which is statistically more dangerous. In school and in drivers ed classes, more emphasis is placed on the risks of drunk driving than on distracted driving suggesting the former is more hazardous. I believe that drivers ed curriculum should equally emphasize distracted driving, illustrating the comparison to drunk driving. Only then, we may begin to see a shift in statistics.
Choices can be made which significantly lower the risk of distracted driving. I have already made the decision to choose music before departure on every journey. Choosing a playlist to enjoy for the duration of the trip, removes the need to use confusing app interfaces while operating my vehicle. I have also committed to not checking my phone while behind the wheel. Rather than have my phone on a mount or in my pocket (both situations where I am aware of notifications), I switch my phone to silent mode and place it in a cupholder. This allows me to receive important calls through my cars hands free Bluetooth system, yet I am not distracted by messaging or other app notifications. Lowering the desire to check my phone and maintaining my focus on driving ensures a higher degree of safety for myself and others.
Being a passenger with an irresponsible driver is frightening. I have experienced riding with friends exceeding the speed limit, checking their phones while driving and swerving dangerously through traffic. Understanding how those potentially lethal experiences made me feel, I strive to drive responsibly, without placing myself, my passengers, or fellow motorists in danger.