PAST VS PRESENT TENSE: THE IMPACT OF DISTRACTED DRIVING


 


I can recall being a nervous wreck driving in the car with my parents but I did want them to notice and then be skeptical about me driving. I can recall my mother being as nervous as I was but unfortunately she let her emotions show and she let them out. Her panting and verbal outburst on my terms almost made me say “FORGET IT!” However, she must have sensed my increased anxiety and signed me my for a driver’s education course. That took the stress away from the both of us. Driving with educator was a wonderful experience. I was able to learn all the basics of driving in one lesson. They went over my weaknesses and worked with me to correct them. If I was not sure in certain techniques, they continued to go over that area until you get it. In critical moments, they also helped me make decisions on my own when turning in traffic. By doing so, has caused me to be accident free, so far, since I began driving at 15 years old. One of the steps taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving is eliminating distracted driving. What increased my awareness was actively volunteering with a non-profit organization that was dedicated to bringing awareness to distracted driving on the roadways.
For individuals involved in accidents related to distracted driving, should serve a mandatory community service platform to gain awareness and listen to stories from the families of the individual who are unable to tell their story due a fatal car crash. Hearing the passion and pleading of how this has influenced their lives could prevent another person or their family being present or past tense. Even before a teenager begins to drive they should have attend and show volunteer hours prior being issued a license. This affected me tremendously. So my much so, I became a champion at my high school to bring awareness to the impact of distracted driving. Students will quickly learn what is considered distracted driving. It can range from being on the phone (even hands free), responding to that “quick text”; and even searching for music. Also, doing these things not only cause car accidents, but in addition the other side of the danger is that a person could easily hit a pedestrian, biker, or animal and cause unthinkable damage to them. Merely sitting in the purse or pocket of a person is a deadly weapon.
Although I have not been involved in an accident; unfortunately, I am aware of a few incidents and two of them were fatal. A very close friend of the family was involved in an accident. He was driving normal on the road when a car, which had a distracted driver, came across several lanes and caused a head on collision. My close family friend lived 10 days in extremely critical condition before succumbing from his injuries. He was an only child. To hear and see the pain in his mother’s voice and eyes was almost unbearable. This reiterated how I did not want to be the cause of parent’s feel due to distracted or careless driving. Even as of recent during my matriculation in college in my freshman year, there were two (2) classmates that died from their injuries from speeding and distracted driving. Again, these actions become an immediate action of being present vs past tense.
Implementing a C.A.R.E.S. Clubs across high schools that offer school-based clubs and organizations at their school. This step can help to produce better and safer driver as well as help others become safer on the road. I have learned peer-to-peer learning environment communication make influence new drivers and make the difference between present vs. past tense.
In addition, Club members would continue develop different ideas, strategies, and projects that address specific issues for young drivers in their schools and communities. Students will undergo key leadership training to better equip them to become life-long traffic safety advocates and future successors in the Tennessee workforce. They would also create community service projects to go to middle school student before they start driving. I was taught a long time ago that “it takes a village.” I have been blessed and fortunate enough to have a village. As I get older, I want to be a part of a village for the children that come behind me in order to continue to make a difference from being past or present tense as it relates to distracted driving.