The Real Meaning of Distracted Driving

In today's world, distracted driving is a prevalent, day-to-day issue. In the United States alone, over 3,200 lives are lost on the account of distracted drivers yearly. But why? If everyone is aware of the possible consequences of using hands on devices on the road, then why does this type of vehicular accident make up almost 10% of fatal collisions? Perhaps it is a result of Americans being ill-educated when it comes to  realizing the scale of destruction distracted driving poses. When texting behind the wheel most people don't realize that they are actively putting their life on the line. On the off chance that consequences do cross the mind of the offender, they are reminded solely of the potential harm they are putting themselves at, but rarely think about the lives of others. There is no circumstance where checking a notification is worth risking someone’s future. 

It is easy to gloss over the true definition of the term “distracted driving”. Usually, people portray distracted driving in their minds as handheld cellphone usage. However, anytime a driver’s full attention is not on the road ahead, it is considered distracted driving. Things like eating, putting on makeup, or even an act as simple as changing the radio station can divert a driver’s attention for long enough to cause harm. The most forgotten type of distraction is cognitive. This occurs when the driver's emotions are uncontrolled, or cause their mind to drift away from the task at hand. To avoid cognitive distractions drivers can stray away from emotional conversations, and take breaks to avoid drowsiness. These actions are often neglected because many people do not consider them to be distracting. 

Another area where awareness about distracted driving fails is when common myths about distracted driving come into play. Many drivers believe that it is perfectly okay to text at a red light, or while in stop and go traffic. The use of technology immediately causes a mental distraction for the driver that will not fade the second the light turns green. It is also common for people to believe they will not end up in a collision simply because they have been able to avoid it in previous circumstances. This driver has experienced luck. The absence of a crash does not mean that that person is simply better at multitasking, but rather that they have been very fortunate. Every time a driver diverts their attention from the road, a new, refreshed opportunity for disaster is presented.

Distracted driving may not only affect a person's physical health, but emotional health as well. If we can put aside the external damages we can see that "the emotional scars from a distracted driving accident can be deep and lasting" (Nicolet Law). Some of the mental injuries may include posttraumatic stress disorder, fear of driving, anxiety, and overwhelming guilt. However, by the time these feelings have immersed, permanent exterior damage has already occurred. The physical harm placed on the victims is the first thing to be recognized, meaning the mental toll on the distracted driver is often put on the back burner. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), Motor vehicle accidents "are considered the leading cause of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the general population" (Blanchard). While not commonly fatal, PTSD can take over the life of anyone involved in this type of accident by controlling their thoughts and actions. 

To help resolve this issue, we must take steps to advance driver’s education, or remind them of such education, to protect society. As individuals, we can control our own driving habits, as well as support others when traveling. When riding as a passenger, it is our responsibility to keep the driver distraction free. We have the ability to make this conscious effort of keeping the driver off their phone, staying in charge of the radio station and volume, and paying attention to the road ahead in case backup ever becomes necessary. Most passengers believe that their actions don’t affect their driver. But, by staying focused on everyone in the vehicle can help play their role in keeping the roads safe.

     

It only takes a split second to make a choice between risking or saving multiple lives. Every time we pull out onto the road it is essential that our undivided attention is focused on the safety of our passengers, as well as others on the roads. Any moment of distraction can lead to neverending regret, sorrow, guilt, and grief. Your decisions matter. Don’t let your distraction transform a daily drive into a lifetime of tragedy.