Unlocking a Safer Future

There is a stereotype that teenagers are always on their phones. I have to admit, it’s true. I am guilty of it. Even though teens are always on their phones when it comes to driving, it can be pretty dangerous…I know from personal experience. I made the dumb mistake of checking a text while I was driving once and nearly crashed. This was a wake-up call for me, and I am passionate about spreading the word and ensuring everyone knows it’s not cool to text and drive.

Here’s my story: I’m driving, and then my phone goes “ping” with a new message. I thought I was the master of multitasking and could sneak a peek. Big mistake! Before I knew it, I was veering into the wrong lane. I had to swerve back quickly to avoid hitting a mailbox head-on. Let me tell you, it scared the life out of me! The situation could’ve ended so much worse if there was a car coming the other way instead of a mailbox.

And I know I’m not the only one. I have been in many situations where the driver behind the wheel was distracted. As young people, we love our tech, but sometimes we think we’re invincible and can do everything at once. But texting (or being on your phone in general) while driving is just one of those things that doesn’t mix.

We all know that distracted driving isn’t just about texting, right? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines distracted driving as anything that takes your attention off driving. This includes things like messing with the radio, eating a burger, or even just chatting with your friends in the car. There are so many things that can be distractions!

The statistics are sobering. According to MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving, “since 2016, between 8% and 9% of fatal crashes have involved distracted driving. In 2020, the most recent

year for which data is available, these collisions accounted for 8% of deadly accidents.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported this year that, “where at least one driver was identified as being distracted resulted in 10,546 fatalities, 1.3 million nonfatal injuries, and $98.2 billion in economic costs in 2019, accounting for about 29% of all crash costs.”

So how can we change this? Well, one big way is education. Schools, colleges, and places where young people hang out could teach us more about how dangerous distracted driving really is. They could use facts, figures, and even personal stories like mine to get the point across. The more awareness that is raised about this topic, the more likely people are to listen and respond.

Another way to get the message across is through social media. Teenagers love social media-many of us practically live there! We can use popular social platforms to spread the word about distracted driving.

We could use this unique space to share impactful content, like real-life stories, images showing the dire consequences of texting while driving, and facts about distracted driving incidents.

Short, shareable videos, memes, or infographics can be shared widely to emphasize the dangers. People could also participate in challenges or pledge campaigns promising not to text or use phone use while driving, to reach more people with the message message.Influencers and celebrities with large followings can help this movement by sharing their commitment to safe driving practices and inspiring others to do the same.

Phone technology can also be a big help. There are apps and software that can stop texts from coming in while we’re driving or send automatic replies to let people know we’re behind the wheel. They also have hands free technology so that you can call, navigate maps, or even change the music on your radio by using voice assistance so that you can always keep your eyes on the road.

There laws that are in place can also help reduce accidents from distracted driving. Stricter rules, tougher penalties, and enforcing them can help hugely. Ensuring everyone knows about these laws can also help deter us from making stupid decisions behind the wheel. Many states already have distracted driving laws to penalize people who have dangerous behaviors behind the wheel.

Finally, the vehicles themselves can help with distracted driving. Many vehicles now have advanced technologies to help reduce the risks of distracted driving by notifying drivers when danger is imminent.

Driver-assisted technologies have become more common in the past decades. Forward collision warning systems use sensors to detect slower-moving or stationary vehicles. When the distance between vehicles becomes so close that a crash is imminent, a signal alerts the driver so that the driver can break or take action, such as steering, to prevent a potential crash.

Other technologies alert you when someone is passing and you swerve out of your lane.

I am especially interested in these types of technologies to help with automotive safety because I am going to school to pursue a mechanical engineering degree to one day become an automotive engineer.

I have a particular interest in innovation to help improve the safety of racecars without sacrificing speed and driveability. Only 7% of all automotive engineers are women. When I tell people of my career plans, they often act surprised and discount me.

In the next 30 years, it is my hope that more than 30% of automotive engineers are women. With more women working in STEM fields, it will increase diversity in the workplace, revolutionize the industry and help innovate for the future.

This will help us achieve the outcomes we are looking for- a safer experience behind the wheel.

In a nutshell, distracted driving, especially among us teenagers, is a real problem, and it’s up to us as a society to fix it. Through education, new technology, social media campaigns and

awareness, and respecting the law, we can raise awareness about this issue. Take it from me; no text or call is ever worth the risk. When you’re in the driver’s seat, safety comes first, always.