How
To: Prevent Trauma From The Road

We,
as people, always have somewhere to go. Sometimes we may lose sight
of the direction we’re headed by distractions. While we’re
physically on the road, many things can cause a driver to look
elsewhere rather than forward. Drivers must remain their focus to
prevent any other possible directions, especially sudden ones. One of
which leads to the most influential result: death. According to
Policy Advice, 25-50% of crashes are caused by distracted driving. If
people were to keep their eyes on the road, then the number of car
accidents would be decreased by at least half. About half of the
people involved in a car crash due to distracted driving would be
protected.

Last
spring, on my way to drop my sister off at her college, I was
suddenly thrown to the right. I was with my family, so I was in the
backseat. After we were laughing in unison, I remember asking myself
“What is happening?”. A woman who was on her phone hit the back
of our van, causing my dad to lose control of the car. Thankfully,
everyone had minor injuries. However, this moment has -and continues
to- cause us anxiety while in a vehicle or walking home. Losing sight
of the road should be overlooked due to its consequences. Even if
there aren’t severe physical impacts, there may be mental or
emotional impacts.

One
of the things that could help reduce the number of deaths related to
driving would be for drivers to put their devices down. According to
distraction.gov, about 660,000 drivers use their electronic devices
while driving. This simple act could help save driver, passenger, and
pedestrian lives. At a red light, I’ve seen people use their
device, which causes them to remain focused on it afterward while
driving. However, driving, alone, involves multitasking. Another step
is to communicate with others by using the brake lights or hand
signals. This is useful to all on the road, including pedestrians.
Communication is the key to driving safely.

Educating
people about the small yet crucial acts of safe driving would help
people become safe drivers. As I’m learning to drive, I’m doing
all in my power to be extremely cautious, especially since it is
legal to talk on the phone as you hold your device in Pennsylvania.
Being a teenager can come with carelessness as we drive, but it’s
important to take all precautions necessary to prevent crashes and
lives. It’s important to emphasize the impacts of the many
precautions we can take before life is affected.