Distractions on the Road

One of the biggest distractions on the roads today are cell phones and I even fall into the habit of checking my phone every time I get a text, call, or notification while driving. Driver’s education can possibly stop this act from occurring, though. Everyday, citizens are told “do not text and drive,” but is there honestly anyone that listens and continues to obey that law each day? Most of the time, people don’t listen. Possibly because they simply don’t care and think they are above the law, or maybe because they don’t know the outcome. Spreading awareness by showing examples of what has happened in the pas,t during driver’s classes when a teen first starts learning how to drive, can exemplify how important driver’s safety is around the world. Early driver’s education can not only reduce the number of deaths, but can also make driving a less scary action to everyone in the community.

Driver’s safety does not just involve cell phone usage though. It can also include many other factors, one of which being the speed limit. Cars go fast, and it is extremely easy to press the gas pedal just a little bit harder to feel like you are in the middle of a NASCAR race. But, what’s one thing a NASCAR race and a highway have in common? Speed. High speeds that make the control of a metal vehicle very hard to manage by the driver in rainy, snowy, or even sunny conditions. Once a car reaches a certain speed- 50 to 70 mph- it is harder to handle once you lose control. At speeds like this, a car crash can be fatal. Once a car reaches 120 mph and crashes, there is little to no possibility there will be survival. One way to limit high speeds is by placing more law enforcement on the roads. The more police monitoring our speed, the less likely we are to speed. No one wants a ticket, or to have to pay the ticket for that matter.

Moreso, driving under the influence of alcohol impairs a driver’s ability to react in a quick manner. One drink is all it takes to cause a driver to lose full control, not allowing them to make clear and safe decisions for themselves and those around them.

About six years ago, my mom and I were in a car accident followed by another three accidents with the rest of our family spread throughout the duration of three years. Funnily enough, in the first car accident, neither of the cars involved were going over 20 mph, yet both cars were totaled. The reason the accident occurred was because one of the cars was not paying attention to the yellow lines on the road, and on a four lane road, used the lane that just so happened to occupy head on traffic as a turning lane. Today, I have the fear that the same accident will happen because someone chose not to pay attention or follow the rules of the road. I especially do not enjoy driving past this location, especially at night since the accident occurred during the late evening. However, there are many ways one can avoid this situation. A driver can simply stay more aware by constantly observing their surroundings, checking their blind spots, and following the lines painted on the road. These minor adjustments will abundantly reduce the amount of accidents occurring each day.

One of the ways I know I can be a safer driver is by being more aware of my surroundings. If I am continuously watching those around me and I sense potential danger, I have a better chance to avoid such danger. Another way is by staying off my phone and keeping the music turned down so that it is not distracting. A car ride, windows down, music blaring in the middle of the summer sounds amazing, until the driver becomes distracted and harms themself and those around them. Music in the car should be used for background noise only and a cell phone should be put away in the console and only used in the case of an emergency. Lastly, I should decrease the amount of time I spend driving at night, especially when I can’t see. Safety should come before anything when entering a car and turning the ignition. While knowing what to do is important, knowing how to execute everything safely keeps your life and everyone else’s on the road around you out of danger.