Name: Savannah Taft
From: Tualatin, OR
Votes: 18
As technology
advances, our communities reap the benefits of quicker, more
convenient, and more enjoyable ways to live. However, alongside the
benefits comes the drawbacks. Although I have not personally seen or
experienced fatalities or injuries due to technology, distracted
driving is becoming much more common.
Reduced
distracted driving begins early within the family. Children need good
parental role models for every aspect of their lives including the
area of technology. By intentionally avoiding devices while behind
the wheel, parents have the opportunity to teach their children by
example. For if children never see their parents using devices while
driving, they will be less likely to pick up their phone once they
are sitting in the driver’s seat. Examples are needed, however,
parents must also reinforce their actions by discussing the risk of
distracted driving and encouraging their children to stay focused
behind the wheel. The desire to reach for a device can be decreased
simply by conversations walking them through the consequence of
actions such as simply reading a text message. Along with teaching
their children to drive responsibly, parents must make and enforce
rules regarding distracted driving. By enforcing rules, children are
given a final incentive to stay safe on the road.
Additionally,
many alternatives can be provided to reduce distracted driving. Most
vehicles contain hands-free calling options which keeps the drivers’
hands and eyes focused on the road rather than messing with their
phone to pick up or hang up a call. Another option is for the driver
to utilize the passengers in the car by letting them type out texts
for the driver or holding the phone while calling on speaker if the
car has no hands-free calling options. Drivers can also find safe
driving apps that respond to texts for them notifying everyone who
texts them that the driver is currently occupied and unable to
respond while driving. Often the most effective action is simply
taking the time to find a place to pull over to respond to texts or
calls if it requires immediate attention.
Similarly, encouragement can be found in many other ways. One such
way is providing a way for people to report distracted driving when
they see it. This would help to keep other drivers accountable while
reducing the burden on the police force. Also, insurance companies
could create an app where their customers receive rewards for not
using their phone behind the wheel which would be beneficial to both
parties since it would decrease the odds of the individual and the
insurance company having to deal with a car crash or an injury.
Another way to encourage against distracted driving is to go through
a drivers ed course and to talk more about safe driving day to
day with friends and be more proactive. When one is driving with a
friend, and they receive a notification and proceed to pick up their
phone, the best way to stay safe is to be proactive and strongly
encourage them to set it down or let the passenger deal with it.
Of the many
efforts people attempt, the best method for fixing distracted driving
is the one drivers try. Often the simplest measures prove to be the
safest protection on the road.
