Have you ever been in an accident or near accident because of a distracted driver? Driving is a privilege that can be a positive experience or a costly one, depending on the drivers experience and focus. I have been driving for 4 years now including the year of having my learners permit and I have had many close calls due to drivers driving distracted. So many things can lead to distracted driving, and I believe at some point every driver can say they have been distracted while driving at least once. Many things can cause drivers to be distracted such as driving under the influence or drugs, alcohol or medication, road conditions, people in the car etc. Phones have become a huge distraction for everyone but especially teenagers who are texting or talking or possibly even searching on their phones while driving. Phones can be a help while operating the car by helping with apps such as Waze to get you from point A to point B. These apps speak to you through the phone or your car telling you when and where to turn and that helps keep your eyes on the road. Phones also have settings that can be set for your phone to not send you notifications until you are parked. Creating habits when you are young and first learning to drive can help set the tone for driving habits as you get older.

When I was still 15 my parents put me in a defensive driving program. It was a 2 day program of classroom time with the local police department talking about driving rules, distraction and showing us ways to focus and anticipate others driving who may be impaired or distracted. Then the second day we spend the afternoon behind the wheel of the car working through scenarios such as poor conditions on the road, maneuvering to avoid things and people in the road and many other situations that arise as a driver, young or old. I wish this was required for all drivers because it is beneficial and eye opening. 

A defensive driving program was created because of a family who lost a loved one due to a distracted driver, a senseless loss and a hurting family left due to a teenager driving and on his phone. My mom knew this family at the time of their tragedy, and it rocked our community. A family trip to dinner and to look at Christmas lights 4 days before Christmas turned tragic when the student was looking down at his phone and ran a red light and hit this family in their van. The girl passed away on Christmas Day and her father was in a coma for over a month. What can we do with a grieving heart and feeling of helplessness? This family decided to turn their tragedy into a teaching opportunity for all of us young and old. They created this non-profit organization and alongside the local police department, started the defensive driving program. They travel around to local high schools to raise awareness for focusing and learning how easily you can be distracted. They bring with them a car to show the impact, they also put you through stations and you can put on glasses that simulate being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol and how all of these things include #1 phones can change a life in an instant. I was able to not only go through the defensive driving program, but to be a part of the assemblies every year at my high school. It was a great reminder every year that no text or social media post is that important to become distracted and cause an accident. We signed a commitment every year to not text and drive and to stay aware and focused. These reminders stay constantly in my mind of how quickly my life could change or how quickly I could change someone else’s if I’m not focused.

Driving is a privilege, and I think so many take it for granted. Over and over I see arrests of people that are driving under the influence, I see people driving holding their cell phones in their hand, which in my state Georgia, is illegal. I try to be a good example of a good, focused driver to my sister who is getting ready to get a driver's license and my younger brother. If everyone young and old would do their part to stay focused and be a good example to all of their passengers whether it be their children, friends or whoever they are driving, we can make a difference in this world and the amount of accident-related injuries and deaths. I have pledged to do my part and live by the motto if you see something say something, you never know if half a mile down the road they could cause an accident being distracted and change a life like yours or mine.