Direction. It all starts with the steering wheel—behind it, we move 10x faster or zig-zag as easily (or precariously) as we please. We take this power for granted, making our minds stray to more amusing tasks. But when the steering wheel receives poor directions, it follows dutifully, taking us horrifically in the wrong direction. What runs 10x faster and weighs 30x heavier than humans hits us 300x times harder on both sides of the bumper. In 2014 alone, 431,000 individuals were seriously injured and another 3,179 perished to such distracted driving. Such an urgent issue exacerbated by the notifications, music, and chatting we so commonly associate with driving necessitates quick action. Acknowledging weaknesses is the initiating spark in creating a plan of action to tackle them:
Simultaneously operating technology has tendrils extending deep into everybody’s habits, especially since we all depend on smartphones. 25% of accidents stem from texting or driving; even with add-ons marketed to be “handsfree,” any attention diverted from the road does not lead to successful multitasking. Rather, driving blind endangers everyone within an unpredictable radius of the vehicle, with you as its center. Similarly, to most people, playing loud music or picking out songs while driving is such a common, seemingly harmless activity ingrained in our society. However, with impaired hearing, it becomes strenuous to locate sounds, signals, or external threats. Delays on the front and back ends slow one’s road focus. Turning off all music is the best choice—it’s better to be safe than sorry, since there will always be time to listen to your favorite tunes once you’ve made it safely to the final destination.
Laying down concrete solutions helps us visualize exactly what we’ll do to improve. Above all, keep eyes on the road at all times; this solution effectively covers the three aforementioned problems. When all senses are actively adapting to traffic conditions, alertness improves synergistically. In addition, friends don’t let friends drive distracted. Friends are supportive passengers, which entails that we help each other grow by overcoming together what we notice can be improved upon. Speaking with others in a non-confrontational manner is an effective way to encourage others to listen. By working to repeatedly expose others to preventative measures, this subconsciously plants a healthy seed in their minds and physical driving habits. Finally, speaking with victims of car accidents can greatly help both parties. By communicating with victims of a very real scenario, one is exposed to the dangers of neglecting to drive safely without putting oneself in that dangerous scenario—this is often the most challenging aspect to tackle (that we take these faraway, distant ramifications for granted) when attempting to teach ourselves how “prevention is better than cure.”
“Life is like a steering wheel, it only takes one small move to change your entire direction.” I am optimistic that by taking individual responsibility within our modes of transport, we can all steer our society’s driving family in a prosperous, secure, and blissful right direction.