Technology’s Dangerous Grip on Drivers

Technology’s Dangerous Grip on Drivers

Distractions
have always plagued drivers, averting seemingly minor portions of
attention from the daily task of driving. While in the past,
interruptions amounted to merely a passenger, the radio, or food
consumption, new technology has opened a floodgate of new
disturbances to the modern driver. Today, handheld cellphones and
vehicles with smart components provide easy access to distractions
and, consequently, have resulted in a greater amount of collisions.
Though legal reforms, such as bans on texting while driving, have
passed in certain states, further action needs to be taken to reduce
the wide-reaching issue of distracted driving. A versatile approach,
focused on drivers ed, restricted features in vehicles, and
activism can help drivers become safer on the road.

While
adolescents are learning to drive, it is important instill good
driving habits in them regarding phone usage. Teaching students to
set up helpful tools, send a text before driving, or pull over for
emergency calls can prevent unnecessary phone disruptions on the
road. Increasing awareness of the fatalities and injuries arising
from poor driving habits through interactions with victims,
documentaries, and startling statistics can prompt drivers to be more
cognizant of the negative impact they can have on themselves and
those surrounding them while driving.

Not
all technological features in cars are inherently negative concepts,
but rather, poorly designed regarding safety. New vehicles are
marketed for their desirable Bluetooth integrated capabilities that
sync phones to the car system. Yet, speech to text or voice-activated
calling technology keeps visual focus on the road, but takes
cognitive awareness off the road. If the virtual assistant mishears a
phrase or contact to call, it leads to further distraction in
attempts to prevent a message or call from being sent. A solution to
these issues is the implementation of a limited driving mode onto the
touchscreen. In order to interact with the tools provided, the car
must be completely stopped in parked gear. Surely, systems such as
navigation and music can be in use while driving as long as they are
not adjusted. The main result of these features should be that it
becomes habitual for drivers to set up their tools before driving.

Furthermore,
there must exist heightened activism against distracted driving. If
more ad campaigns circulated, alike to anti-smoking advertisements,
the message of the dangers imposed would be more wide-reaching and
relatable to contemporary adolescents. Personally, hearing words of
encouragement from ads, social media posts, and drivers ed
instructors would have inspired me to speak up when I felt
uncomfortable in the vehicle of a distracted driver.

Today,
new technology has aided our society, improving the efficiency of
routine tasks such as utilizing navigation while driving. However,
progression in automotive ingenuity and communication devices can
serve to hinder the safety of drivers if used irresponsibly. In order
combat distracted driving, our society needs to alert both new and
old drivers alike with education, restricted technological features
in cars, and active social campaigns to increase the safety of our
roads for generations to come.