I have a lot of qualifying experiences for me to identify ways to end distracted driving. Not because I have been in a lot of accidents, personally, but because I have been affected by those accidents. I gained the knowledge on what to do when accidents occur at a young age. My eldest brother actually passed away from an accident. Unfortunately right after that, my eldest sister got in an accident with my auntie. Then I enter my senior year of high school, and all of my friends get in an accident, with me getting in an accident a month before I left for university. Does that sound like a lot?
When my friends now get in accidents, I take it very hard. I ask questions that weren’t asked to me. I continue to check up on them, even though they did not check up on me. There are just things that I now do regarding accidents that I didn’t do before. This includes my mannerisms when it comes to driving. Although I didn’t cause my accident, having my car totaled hurt, and now I am a new driver. Since I was away at school, I didn’t have to worry much about my driving skills anymore, but now I am driving everyday, so being defensive is very important to me, especially since I have a very serious case of astigmatism.
Something that has changed for me, is the fact that I don’t allow extra bass in my car anymore. When I first started driving again this summer, I didn't even have the radio on. I then transitioned to only playing from my phone, not connecting bluetooth. Fortunately, I am now comfortable to connect, but the volume does not go past 5. Because I have bad vision, my other senses are much stronger, my smell and hearing. If I smell anything foul, I turn that radio down. If I hear an odd sound coming from a song and I think it is sirens, I pause the song and start to slow down. All in all, to avoid an accident, I recommend not blasting your music. There are things you need to be aware of while on the streets, and your car’s volume may distract that.
Another thing that I now do, during every drive, is pay attention to every upcoming sign on both sides of the road. My mother told me that when she was a teenager, an officer followed her home and asked what the most recent sign was on the street. Driving, for me, is different now because I’m not driving my little red car with a customized plate anymore. I am driving a stereotyped African-American car with a license plate holder that says “Howard University Dad.” I have to be extra cautious, especially in certain areas. Paying attention to those signs can be a life or death situation. I can explain where I am if I get pulled over or facing car problems. I can be prepared for upcoming street conditions. I can also just make sure I am around the speed limit to avoid risking someone else’s life, because I know how it feels. There are things you need to be aware of while on the streets, and ignoring signs may distract that.
Last distracted driving habit I combated, not knowing where I was going. Maps are my best friend in the car. I cannot pull off without my estimated time and distance propped up on my windshield. If I am driving to a familiar place, Siri will be muted, but if not, she is as loud as she can be. Trying to find new ways to go with no direction not only affected me, but others around me. I see it now, people hurrying to merge over from the nearest left lane to the right so that they can turn. Drivers slowing down and stopping in the middle of the street because they need to change direction. It affects everyone. Even road ragers, they’ll get mad that you’re lost and may cause an accident trying to speed past you. Now, I still don’t like driving on certain streets, but because I know that, I know alternate routes so Siri will just reroute. Other than that, I am always listening to Siri’s instructions, especially since I try to avoid highways at all costs. There are things you need to be aware of while on the streets, and being lost may distract that.
There are things everyone does that needs to be avoided to remain aware on the streets. Avoid distraction. I have already documented my steps and I can only do so much. Due to my loss and personal accident, I am a huge advocate, but people won’t change unless they are given a reason, especially my age range. This explains why insurance is high, the statistics are still climbing. To my brother Lance, I am sorry you had to leave for me to understand the risks of driving. To my brother, a passenger in the accident, I am happy you are still here. You are a living testimony, able to tell others about your experience. To the truck driver who killed my brother, I hope you are taking the efforts to avoid distracted driving as life is too precious.