Distracted Driving

I got my learner’s permit in 2005 and my driver’s license in 2007. CDs were still popular, and I had a briefcase of them on the passenger seat. One summer day, I was changing the CD when I started drifting into the next lane. The driver of that vehicle was more alert than I and issued a “toot” on their car horn. I immediately regained focus. What if I had not? Vehicle safety is an issue often shrugged off with excuses like, “I am just changing the song”, or “I have been driving longer than you have been alive”, or “I’m just tired”, or, or, or, the excuses go on. According to the 2015-2017 CDC statistics, driving fatalities are highest in the 75+ age range with teen to mid thirties ranking second.

I do not feel we are doing enough to ensure the sense of responsibility a person should have while operating a vehicle. I wonder if when we renew our licenses should we undergo a simple practical test? Perhaps testing eyes, ears and an understanding of any new driving laws enacted would be helpful. I do believe the safe driving bonuses offered through various insurance companies will offer people a monetary incentive to drive responsibly. Look twice, save a life.

Cell phone use also continues to represent a major problem on the roadways. Every year our attention is pulled further into our mobile devices by the latest technological advancements or social media. Driving across a bridge as the sun sets behind us in the review mirror is now an excellent self-photo opportunity. Every year more and more people die because of a cellular related distraction. Handsfree and Bluetooth accessories are making a difference but only when used.

The only thing I know to be 100% effective for the situation is leading through example. I route my GPS before I start driving. I do the same for any music I want to listen to. If my child requests a song while driving, I decline. We may add it to the playlist when we turn the car off. The other huge part of successful driving is constant vigilance. Attention to surroundings, animal patterns, traffic conditions, weather, sporting events, or construction are crucial to navigating from one locale to another. Pre-planning is an excellent ward against reckless endangerment. It is better to arrive early than never.