The Distraction You Can't See

2026 Drivers Education Initiative Award 

“In The Drivers Seat” 

 

 

I used to think distracted driving meant texting. Then I realized I could arrive home with no memory of half the trip. As a full-time nursing student, my mind rarely slows down. During a drive to campus, I can find myself replaying yesterday's lecture, mentally organizing due dates, planning my work schedule, wondering if I remembered to submit an online assignment, making a grocery list, or thinking about how I'll pay for next semester's tuition.  Before I reach the next stoplight, I've often mentally planned an entire day. 

 

One drive home made me realize just how easily mental distraction can take over. I pulled into my driveway and suddenly realized I couldn't remember passing several familiar intersections. Nothing bad had happened, but that realization was unsettling. I had followed the rules of the road, yet my mind had been somewhere else the entire time. As someone pursuing a career in nursing, I know that even a brief moment of distraction can have serious consequences. Nurses are taught that being fully present can make the difference between safety and harm, and I realized that the same principle applies every time I get behind the wheel. If I expect to care for patients with focus and attention to detail, I should hold myself to that same standard while driving. 

 

I sat there for a moment thinking about how many times I had driven that same route without truly being present. I knew the road well, which almost made it more concerning. Familiarity had created a false sense of security. I was not doing anything obviously dangerous, but I was also not giving driving the attention it deserved. That moment changed the way I thought about distracted driving. I realized that safety is not just about avoiding the biggest mistakes. It is also about recognizing the small habits that can slowly take my attention away from the road. 

 

Being a nursing student requires me to constantly think ahead. I am learning complex concepts, preparing for exams, completing assignments, and building the skills I will eventually need to care for patients. I have always been someone who likes to plan, stay organized, and solve problems before they happen. Those qualities have helped me succeed in school, but I realized they do not belong in the driver's seat. The same mindset that helps me prepare for a challenging assignment, or manage a busy week can become a distraction when I am operating a vehicle. 

 

The dangerous part is that these thoughts do not feel distracting in the moment. My hands are on the steering wheel, and my eyes are on the road, but my attention is somewhere else. I have arrived at school with little memory of the drive or realized I missed a turn because my mind was focused on tomorrow instead of today. 

 

I've learned that distracted driving isn't limited to texting or using a phone. Mental distraction can be just as dangerous because it delays reaction time and reduces awareness of what's happening around me. A split second of losing attention can change someone's life forever. To break this habit, I am making driving a single-task activity. Before leaving, I'll take a minute to review my schedule instead of planning it behind the wheel. If an important idea comes to mind, I'll wait until I'm safely parked before writing it down. I also use my drive as an opportunity to reset by focusing on the road and reminding myself that every other driver, cyclist, and pedestrian is counting on me to be fully present.  I have also removed unnecessary distractions by creating a driving playlist that I start before I leave. This keeps me from reaching for my phone to search for a podcast, skip commercials, or change songs, allowing me to keep my attention where it belongs. 

 

Changing a habit requires more than simply recognizing the problem. It requires creating systems that make the safer choice easier. I now prepare before I drive instead of trying to manage everything while I am on the road. I check my schedule before leaving, create my music playlist ahead of time, and avoid using my drive as a time to solve problems. I remind myself that arriving a few minutes later is better than arriving distracted. These small changes have helped me become more intentional behind the wheel. 

 

College will always be busy, and there will always be another assignment, exam, or responsibility competing for my attention. Those things can wait until I arrive. The funny thing is, I actually enjoy driving more now. When I'm paying attention, I notice things I never did before, like the changing colors of the trees, neighbors working on their yards, or a child proudly riding a new bike. It reminds me that when my focus is on the road, I don't just arrive safely, I arrive having actually experienced the journey. 

 

Grace Wakeman 

[email protected] 

602.558.8030