As no rule exists without reason, when you learn the reason, you better understand the rule. When people know the risks and understand why they exist, it is easier to want to obey the rules. For example, most people understand that driving 100 mph on icy roads will most likely result in a severe crash. However, there are many other risks that people may not know about or understand. One of the biggest causes of crashes is the use of cellular devices. Looking away from the road for 1 second while driving at 75 mph means that you have traveled roughly the length of a standard football field without looking. Many individuals believe that looking away for such a short period of time doesn’t matter, but the statistics show that the longer you look away, the higher the risk of something going wrong. In recent years, my home state of Idaho has required the use of hands-free phone systems in order to use a phone while driving. This helps to diminish looking away from the road while being able to use your phone if needs be.

One of the biggest steps that can be taken is increasing personal responsibility while driving. Not driving while distracted or while under the influence will increase the safety of the roads. Put distractions away and drive only when you can give your full focus to the task at hand. Making sure that you are not at risk of falling asleep while driving will protect you, your car, and others. If you do find yourself in a situation that is not safe to drive in, find someone to drive you or use an uber. Being an inconvenience to someone or spending some money is worth your life and the lives of others.

Early in my driving career, I was in a major accident that resulted in the totaling of my car. While I was blessed to be alive and fairly unharmed, the repercussions of that crash have lasting effects today. The story of the crash is the following: On a sunny Saturday morning, I took off for a marching band rehearsal. While going through an intersection, I was T-boned by a much larger truck causing my car to spin out of control. Thankfully, there were no other cars involved with the accident. However, this crash drastically changed my future. Causing a fractured wrist and minor PTSD, was the irresponsible driving of not making sure the path was clear before making a left-hand turn in a busy interaction. (For clarification, I had a green light and the other driver had a blinking yellow.) This accident could have and should have been fatal to at least myself. That would have had a much higher impact on my family as well as those in my marching band. I no longer suffer from any of the ill effects of this incident, but I have learned many important lessons. Now whenever I have to make a left-hand turn across traffic I always make sure that my way is clear even if I have a green arrow.

There are many steps that one can take in order to be a safer driver, as well as helping others be safer drivers. The first step I think of is the use of passengers. If there is another person in the car with you as a driver, allow them to take care of any texts or phone calls that need to be taken care of while driving. This allows you to focus on the road. Another step is to let them navigate and give directions. The same steps apply when you are the passenger. Helping the driver to minimize distractions and the need to look away from the road, increases their ability to react to danger. When driving alone, as this happens more often than not, using a hands-free system in your car or on your phone allows you to keep your eyes on the road and on the look out for others. Finally, if both a passenger and the use of a hands-free system are not available, just ask yourself, “is this worth my life?” before trying to send a text or call someone. If you still need to send the text or make the phone call, pull over to a safe place to do so. Being a few minutes late to something is worth saving your life.

When you understand why a rule exists, you’ll understand why you need to follow it. Looking away from the road increases the likelihood of you hitting something or worse, someone.