To drive or not to drive

I picture her giggling as she said, daddy, daddy could you please bring me some candy when you come home? Of course honey, anything for daddy’s little girl. It would be a longer wait than she expected. Excited that he was finally back, she hurried toward the door with her mom, only to be disappointed in seeing an unfamiliar face with a uniform. He spoke and her mother fell to the ground. Don't cry mommy, when daddy comes home, he will give you candy. I never asked her the details of that day because her silence spoke volumes, so I imagined this scene of a life that once was. My friend’s father was tragically killed by a drunk driver. Her world shattered by the action of one driver, her childhood destroyed as she searched to fill the emptiness of her broken heart. There was no pause…rewind..and begin the day again. This is the story of many who cannot erase the pain caused by distracted driving, but we have a choice today, to bring a new reality and ending to our stories. To make personal, the reality of the destruction driving while intoxicated or distracted, allows someone to experience a reality that can occur without care and precaution. Distracted driving, not only places you in danger but a mother on her way to work, a father taking his son to school, a grandparent visiting her new grandchild. It is easy to sometimes forget that real lives can be changed by our choices.

Drivers ed can help students become more comfortable on the road, as they learn good defensive driving skills from a trained professional. Unfortunately, sometimes we learn our bad habits of driving from our loved ones who teach us. My father is notorious for speeding and if it were not for the personal story of my friend, I could see myself following more often his example. I remind him and myself constantly about the dangers of distracted driving and the need for our good examples of driving. Sharing real-life stories is the most powerful tool in encouraging people to drive safely, whether through advertisements, commercials or personal conversations. People know the truth of the dangers of distracted driving, but so often, we prioritize other things and think to ourselves that we can successfully multitask. Reminders whether through alerts or a checklist in the car, to silence the phone, wire the GPS, or turn the radio to the desired setting, or lower speed as you drive can be very helpful. With advancements in technology, you can set up your phone to silence when it detects driving motion. Creating a culture of safe driving is key and it starts with each of us, when we challenge ourselves, our friends and family to grow in a greater awareness of driving habits as we uphold the dignity of each person.