Distractions Kill

Jasmine Bobbins
September 25, 2020

Distraction Kills

Every time that someone is on the road, they take on a responsibility to follow the laws of the road and drive safely. As soon as a driver’s footsteps on the gas, they need to act responsibly. Having a complete focus on the road is a driver’s top priority. Unfortunately, there can be multiple distractions that drivers must deal with. Even though almost everyone wants to drive safely, there are some terrible habits that they follow and don’t even realize it. This is where driver education comes in, because learning about safe driving, ways to avoid being distracted and following the laws of the road, prepares the drivers to be confident enough to drive with pride.

Additionally, driver education is essential to prevent car accidents, deaths, and risky driving habits. This knowledge prepares drivers before even going on the road. Steps that can be taken to reduce these statistics of deadly car accidents and help teenage drivers gain more comprehension with safe driving. There are free programs like Driver Edge, that teach teen drivers what to do in driving scenarios that you have to think quickly. For example, hydroplaning, slamming the brakes and swerving, and panic breaking. These exercises can really benefit teens to save their own life one day.

Fortunately, there are some specific distractions that drivers can control. To noisy passengers, and constant phone notifications. Even though a groovy song might be playing, listening to music full blast is a risk because the teen’s brain is trying to multitask, when they only have little driving experience. With all the stimuli in the car, there cannot be complete focus on the road. In 2017, Apple released the application ‘Do Not Disturb While Driving.’ It automatically detects when a user is driving and to prevent push notifications from going through. The feature allows the feature to avoid the temptation of looking at their phone when it buzzes. Another distraction that drivers can control is what mindset they are in before turning the keys. Angry or aggravated driving can lead to speeding, not obeying traffic laws and these put others in danger. These are impulsive decisions that can lead to reckless driving habits. Teaching drivers to not drive without a clear mindset is important so they don’t act on pure emotion.

Personally, I have been in a car accident and totaled my car before. That accident completely changed my perspective on being safe on the road. In a matter of seconds, my vehicle was a weapon. It is scary how easy something can go wrong. I was fortunate enough not to have hurt anybody, but I was still terrified on how easily that situation would have taken a turn for the worse. I have seen my own family members text and drive while other children are in the car. I have had to take other people’s phones while driving so they can actually focus. The notification is still going to be there whether the driver checks the phone or not, so avoiding the urge to look at the phone is essential.

In conclusion, driver education should not be optional, because the lifelong skills remembered can save countless lives. Lowering the statistics of around 40,000 people dying from car accidents per year is the goal. Driving is a privilege that can get taken away at any moment, so treating it with respect and precaution is the least drivers can do.