To The End Of Willing Distractions: Distracted Driving

Driving is like riding a bike, where practice leads to confidence. Confidence leads to comfort, but whether you are riding a bike or driving a car, focus is the skill to master. And its enemy is willing distractions.

Willing distractions are distractions that people engage in knowing it is keeping them from focusing on whatever task they are doing, in this case, driving. It is not as unexpected as encountering road rage or witnessing a car accident. It is scrolling on social media, blasting music on the radio, touching up your makeup, texting someone, or even calling someone. These distractions may seem harmless, but without proper discipline, they could lead to death.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 3,200 people died in 2024 due to these distractions. If we continue to ignore this issue, the number of lives lost will likely keep rising, making it even more urgent to address these habits and prioritize safe driving.

I know this problem continues because I see my family and friends indulging in these distractions daily. I remember seeing an Instagram story that shows one of my friends posting a picture of them driving with no hands on the wheel, and I’ve seen my mother text on her phone with only one hand on the wheel. I remember feeling worried about their safety; however, I never dared to speak up because I knew I was not any better. After a while, I found myself normalizing it and ignoring the danger. I thought if we arrived at our destinations each time, it could not be that bad. Even I find myself drawn to my phone if I am driving. I ask myself whether a text needs to be sent to say I am on my way home, or whether a friend responded to my social media post. 

But what pulls me back to the road ahead are my driving instructor's words telling me to keep two hands on the wheel because without them we are not in control of our vehicle. 

After reading the statistics, I realized how consequential this issue is because if it means saving a life or our own, we need to stay in control of our vehicle and be held accountable if we do not. We have to realize that our phones, our makeup, our music, and whatever distraction is keeping us from driving safely is not worth our lives. 

Everyone deserves to live a long and fulfilling life. They deserve to pass away with their loved ones by their side instead of in a driver’s seat not knowing what is next. 

To make a change, it starts with me. I have to stay focused on the road and have my phone outside of my reach. I will turn off my notifications, so I can pay attention to what is ahead. This time I will ask myself which mirrors to check or turns to make to my destination. I have to let my family and friends know about the consequences of these willing distractions. I need to let them know why it is important to pay attention to the road as they reach their destination. I’ll tell them the statistics and share the stories of drivers who did not understand the consequences. In addition, I will raise awareness on my social media platforms to reach those people before they decide to pose for the picture while driving.

To make a more significant change, it starts with us. I want to propose an idea to Apple, Samsung, or any phone company: create a phone feature that identifies when you are driving and blocks you from social media or texting until you reach your destination. I know there is a Driving Focus on Apple, but people still control it and turn it off even while driving. This is why a more developed and controlled feature is needed, as it could save many lives from mindless scrolling. This feature could only be turned off if the car is not in motion or parked. From this idea to many others, we could begin a movement to stop distracted driving everywhere. 

But even if our ideas aren’t accepted, bringing awareness is an important step too. We, as a community and as a country, need to let our loved ones and strangers know that safety is important and that eliminating these distractions is the key to preserving life in America. We should not feel afraid to speak up because one thing about willing distractions it is within our control.