The Roots of Driving By Joseph Santos Driving is one of the main forms of transportation and is widely used across the nation. As technology has advanced, it has become a lot easier to not only obtain a license, but a car as well. Due to this, many teenagers and young adults are eager to obtain their licenses as it is a form of freedom to travel to any location by yourself or with friends. As a result, driving is associated with fun and freedom instead of as a privilege that is gained through the promises of being a responsible and safe driver. This loss of inveterate foundation has caused many teenagers and young adults to become lax with driving, leading to many accidents as well death in severe cases. In order to prevent further incidents, the use of phones while driving as well as the remembrance of the repercussions of driving needs to be enforced to new drivers. The main cause of accidents involving teenagers is distraction through the use of a phone or social media. Social media has become a staple of our culture and is the main source of communication and entertainment for many teenagers and young adults. Whether you are just bored in traffic, or messaging a friend that you are on your way, it is very easy to become distracted with your phone on the road. Yet even a quick glance, no matter the reason, could potentially prove fatal. In order to prevent this, teenagers can respond with two different options. They can get a mount for their phone so that they can still have good vision of the road as well as use their phone for directions or communications. This mount should not be used to watch videos or scroll through social media, but for quick communications and guidance only. Another option is to simply put your phone in a bag or compartment and not let it distract you while you drive. You should text or communicate before and after you drive and never during. If absolutely needed, you can always pull over and safely check your phone, but one should never risk looking or being distracted by your phone while driving. While this may seem bothersome or a nuisance, it is done to not only protect your life but the lives of those around you. Before any teenager or young adult can get their license, they must first take drivers education. While many people skim through or tune out this class, it reminds and warns of the repercussions and responsibilities of owning a license. While driving can be fun, it also should not be taken lightly as you are putting your life and the lives of others at risk when you are not paying attention or not following the rules of driving. You always need to think about how by your decisions can affect others safety and wellbeing. Even if it is a small accident, that accident can cause insurance issues as well as unrest for the families and friends involved. Many teenagers as well as adults neglect and forget these responsibilities that come with driving, and as a result put themselves and others in danger. If more people were to take heed of these precautions and avoided distractions such as phones and social media, then it would be very possible to help lower accidents not only among teenagers but adults as well. It is important to remember that as humans advance and develop more technologies, they are to become stewards of their creations and not just do as they please. With the advancement of cars and transportation come the advancement of precautions and safety taken to operate these vehicles. It is necessary to always have the safety of oneself and those around them in mind and help prevent the loss of stability and life due to distractions. While phones and social media are good outlets of communication and represent community and prosperity, they can lead to the loss and despair of loved ones if not used wisely.