Eyes on the Road

I gripped onto my seat as the car accelerated. Faster. Faster. Faster. I glanced over at my friend, who was chatting away on her phone, completely unaware that she had almost hit the curb five seconds ago. A line from the driver’s learning booklet echoed through my head: “Anyone, regardless of age, is prohibited from using electronic communication devices while driving.” Clearly someone hadn’t gotten the memo. I gingerly tapped her shoulder, pointing at the speed dial that had gone startlingly high. In an instant she dropped her phone and slammed on the brakes. When we reached my driveway I wobbled away, still on edge. Needless to say, it took a long time before I got in her car again.

Teenagers are notoriously remarked for distracted driving. With the ever-present demands of modern technology, it’s not uncommon to multitask during travel time. But using devices while driving takes away attention from the wheel and can have fatal consequences. My friend and I were lucky enough to survive her episode of rather irresponsible driving, but not everyone is so fortunate. The number of individuals that have died in car accidents has raised by more than 10% from 2020 to 2021. Though correlation does not mean causation, the rising numbers could very well be attributed to our increased dependence on technology. More often than not, it’s just a case of distracted driving; a simple choice with dire repercussions.

Schools have attempted to educate students on the importance of safe driving through documentaries and lectures, but as seen by the behavior of the modern teen, they have not been very effective. Almost 14% of car crashes involve young adults, and with the rise in social media, that number is not looking to lower anytime soon. Combating this modern problem must have a modern solution. One of the best ways to stop the issue is the installation of driving apps. These apps block incoming texts and calls that are not urgent to reduce the risk of distracted driving. Some apps can have parental functions so that parents can ensure their teen is using the app when on the road, and even reward the users for safe driving. It is proven that reward systems increase the likelihood of compliance to a certain policy, so this is quite ingenious. Safety precautions and incentives such as these would appeal to drivers because they assign relevance to the idea of safe driving, an importance they would hopefully come to terms with in time.

And often the idea of taking the distraction away can often be enough. Many of the people I know understand that safe driving is imperative, but it is an automated, impulsive response to pick up one’s phone when that notification sound goes off. Our brains are quick to adapt to our surroundings, and over time they have become acclimated to our technology as well. When we pick up our phones, the brain releases dopamine; even though it is released in very small amounts, it is enough to keep us coming back for more. I have experienced the same feeling myself, and it can be immensely difficult to resist that urge to look at my screen, even when in the middle of something as serious as driving. Through the installation of safe driving apps, drivers can implement new habits, which can help them feel less attached to their devices. Driving is a function that requires one’s full attention, and through such apps, we can remove the distraction completely. In this modern world, we are often so dependent on technology, removing its influence in driving would allow us to unplug and live in the present, even if just for a moment.

I have since then convinced the above friend to download a driving app. I feel much safer on the road as she is focusing more on her driving and less on her screen. And by removing the device, we are able to foster that friendship through face-to-face communication. Education in safe driving is extremely important, especially as the world we live in becomes more and more automated. Cars have allowed the progression of humanity in an unprecedented way: it granted individual mobility where there previously was little, connected people across the country, even became the face of the American Dream. And now, they support our mobile lifestyles and help us move towards greater heights. But it is important that we learn how to use these vehicles of convenience safely, to minimize the harm they cause through careless use, and maximize the benefits. Because everyone is safer, when drivers keep their eyes on the road.