“It’ll Only Take a Second!” by Morgan Falkenstein

Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes shut (MavenAdmin). You cannot drive safely unless the task of driving has your undivided attention.

And unfortunately, not many realize this reality.

We’re up and ready, our morning routine falling into place like clockwork. The sun begins its ascent, casting a warm glow over our neighborhood in Laveen, Arizona. It’s 8:15 AM, and my dad and I slip into the car, the engine humming to life, and we back out slowly to street, ready to face the day. Us, along with many others on the road…

On our commute, we see a car right in front of us driving unusually slow. As soon as my dad catches up with this car, we quickly figure out why – the driver was scrolling on their phone, blatantly disregarding everything else around them.

This is an all-too-common sight to see in my neighborhood.

A bustling street, where streams of drivers are navigating their way, with a few here and there hunched over their phones, mesmerized by their screens, their surroundings blur into obscurity. This ultimately leaves them perilously disconnected from their immediate surroundings, putting both them and others in danger.

With each glance at the screen, the driver’s reaction time diminishes, and their situational awareness erodes. The potential consequences are dire – swerving into neighboring lanes, running red lights, or failing to notice pedestrians crossing the street. The threat posed by these drivers extends far beyond their own lives; it extends to the passengers in their vehicles and innocent bystanders who may fall victim to their split-second distractions. Unfortunately, many have fallen victim to distracted driving and this seemingly small, harmless act ended up costing the life of other people, disrupting the lives innocent families who have to suffer the consequences of something that was easily preventable. Unfortunately, such acts that have become so common to see have claimed the lives 3,522 people in 2021 (Distracted driving).

Many efforts have been taken to prevent distracted driving from happening. An effective step taken would include implementing laws to reduce these reckless, careless acts of distracted driving such as banning texting while driving, implementing hands-free laws, and limiting the number of young passengers who can ride with teen drivers. As well as campaigns that help spread awareness. (Distracted driving) For instance, from 2010 to 2013, NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Association) used this approach in four communities. These projects increased police enforcement of distracted driving laws and increased awareness of distracted driving using radio advertisements, news stories, and similar media. After the projects were complete, observed driver cell phone use fell from:

• 4.1% to 2.7% in the Sacramento Valley Region in California,

• 6.8% to 2.9% in Hartford, Connecticut,

• 4.5% to 3.0% in the state of Delaware

• 3.7% to 2.5% in Syracuse, New York.

(Distracted driving)

This proves that implementing laws effectively reduces the number of drivers using their devices while on the road.

Another powerful strategy includes video campaigns on mainstream social media. Video campaigns are effective for several reasons. Firstly, social media and online platforms allow video campaigns to reach a vast and diverse audience. Online videos can be easily shared, liked, and commented on, generating organic exposure and increasing the chances of spreading the message to a larger audience.

Secondly, videos have a strong visual impact, making them memorable and more emotionally engaging than text-based messages. By portraying realistic scenarios and consequences of distracted driving, these videos create a lasting impression on viewers. They feature real-life stories of people affected by distracted driving accidents. By showcasing the struggles of those impacted on a personal level, the videos drive home the reality of the dangers. Lastly, it also informs viewers about the different forms distracted driving comes in such as texting, eating, or adjusting music. This helps create awareness about activities that might not often be seen as risky. And ultimately helps to shape social norms by encouraging viewers to not be distracted while driving.

For instance, there is tragic case where in May 2019, a man named Randall Siddens died after he was struck by a driver who was video chatting and speeding. Siddens was helping with roadside clean up that day, completely unaware that it would be his last. This accident claimed the life of a husband and father to two young children because someone was distracted behind the wheel (Distracted driving: Randall Siddens’ story). Not only do incidences like this affect the families involved but also the driver who knows they brought the death of another person. As well as the community that also grieves the loss of a life. Overall, this shows everyone to never underestimate the danger that being on your cellphone can pose. It cannot be overstated on the importance of getting the facts, getting involved, and helping keep all roads safe and not be distracted.