The Real Cost

The Real Cost

About six months ago, I sat at the foot of my best friend’s bed, and watched as she fought for her life. A woman had deemed it okay to text her boyfriend back but hit my friend’s car from behind, propelling her into the middle of an intersection, causing an oncoming car to T-bone her. It’s a terrifying feeling, the uncertainty of it all.

The numbers are real, and statistics don’t lie. Teen crashes and fatalities between the ages of sixteen and eighteen are much lower than they were ten years ago. Why? Because teens who take driver’s education before they get their licenses are less likely to be involved in an accident or traffic violation during their first two years of driving, which is extremely important. This means they either took lessons straight from the state, or were under supervision of a parent, teaching them the rules of the road.

Unfortunately, distracted driving is a main cause for fatal automobile accidents. However, an important reminder that we must be teaching each other, as young people, or teaching our children, as parents, is the significance of texting and driving, and the consequences it has. Studies conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have concluded that texting and driving can be as dangerous, if not more, as intoxicated driving. When you pull out your phone, to reply or check a text message or direct message notification, you’re putting yourself in a situation where you’re vulnerable and open to countless errors such as slower reaction times. More often than not, when people text and drive, they’re more focused on the phone, rather than the road ahead of them. But there are countermeasures to educate young people of this growing issue.

Apple’s CarPlay is an excellent choice when one is trying to combat their bad habits with texting and driving. It first gives the option of “Do Not Disturb While Driving.” This allows your phone to detect that you’re now moving at a speed similar to a car, which will not allow the phone to be accessed unless the phone’s passcode is applied. The phone’s bluetooth can be connected to the car’s bluetooth, if available, and it will sync, allowing a hands free option.

I tell that story to all my friends who think it’s okay to either drink and drive, or text and drive. Opening up and sharing that story has changed a lot of perspectives, and I’m glad it has. My best friend is a living miracle, and a reminder to not make reckless decisions. But between my best friend, and the lady who hit her, who will you be today?