There is a subject that is often talked about, but no one really understands the importance of it. Being a safe and responsible driver has a deeper meaning than being expressed by people. We have been taught ever since we were young that driving means freedom. But with freedom comes responsibility. When you are driving you are not only in charge of your life, but you are also in charge of others’ lives. Really just think about that for a minute. You are driving a vehicle that is going super-fast. You can only see what your point of view is. But think about someone else. What if you hit a couple that is going to the hospital because the wife is giving birth. What if you hit someone who is going to see a loved one who is passing away and now there are two deaths. There are many situations that you ultimately could cause because you are behind the wheel. There is much more to driving than what it looks like. Plus, now there are more distractions when it comes to driving. Like your phone for example.
We have a mobile device that can go with us anywhere. It is so easy to pull up videos or text someone while you are on the road. But one mistake and you and someone else could end up in the hospital. According to Angelica Leicht “In 2021, 410 people were killed as a direct result of accidents caused by texting and driving. In 2020, 397 people were killed in fatal crashes caused by texting and driving. In 2021, there were 644 nonoccupants (pedestrians, bicyclists, and others) killed in crashes involving a distracted driver, including those who were texting. Overall fatal crashes due to distracted driving are on the rise. In 2019, over 3,100 people were killed and about 424,000 were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver.” (forbes.com) Many people see phones like that do not affect you at all. But if you do research into phones the effect that they have on your brain is immense. They have a chemical that shoots off every time you look at it. Which is known as dopamine. Which you’re probably wondering why that matters. Because dopamine is a chemical that makes you happy. Which activities or other things that make you happy you just want more of it. Well, that is exactly what phones do. It starts pushing you toward an addictive personality, which in turn makes you want to look at your phone more. What is nice about phones is they have made a driving mode. Which means you’re unable to use apps or text people while you are driving. But the hard part about that is that people do not choose to use it. That is devastating! Life is so important. Every one of us deserves the best in life. Because we are all beautiful, unique, and special to someone. Even when life is hard, and you can feel depressed there are people in our lives that love us and care for us. So, you should not think about being more caught up with looking at your phone than thinking about someone else’s life. Do not make a decision that could mess up many people’s lives.
The other thing about Driving that should be addressed is the fact that it is a privilege to drive. We are gifted with the responsibilities of driving. Where we are given the opportunity to go places far when we please. We can try new things by driving to them. It is a gift why would we take that gift and be irresponsible with it. Like stated before, you are taking care of way more than just your life, but other lives as well.
In conclusion, we need to take driving seriously. It is not a joke or something to be messed around with. The importance of drivers to be aware of the responsibility of their driving. They should see that their choices of driving can have consequences. When we take the chance of holding our phone or being distracted by it, we risk living. We need to know that when we are sitting in the driver’s seats, we are no longer able to mess around. So next time you get into the car think of yourself the amount of power and responsibility of being behind the wheel. Put down your phone. Pay attention to situations around you. Ultimately make sure you are a safe and observant driver.