My Best Friend is My Worst Enemy Too!

My
iPhone is my confidante, at times, like my best friend. There are
endless Apps that appease my sense of sight, touch, smell, hearing,
and feeling. It keeps me informed, in real time, about what is going
on with my family and friends, no matter how far away they may be. I
have endless access to all my favorite music, TV shows, movies,
pictures, and videos. I can access knowledge and news concerning any
subject, at any time.

Then
again, my iPhone is my adversary, at times, like my worst enemy.
Simply put, when I’m behind the wheel, my iPhone is my distraction.
It’s hard to believe that it can become my worst enemy, my worst
nightmare in a matter of seconds. I’m grateful for and inspired by
this topic because it has encouraged me to take my own initiative to
be honest with myself, to reflect on the perils of distracted
driving.

Not
long ago, I was determined to drive like the responsible
Driver’s-Education-Course student I was trained to be. Buckle up.
Rear and side views, check. Nine o-clock left hand, 3 o-clock right
hand. Absolutely no texting. No talking on the phone. I remember how
fearful l was, yet carefully and conscientiously focused on the road,
when I first got my driver’s license, just as I was taught in
Drivers ed. “No accidents for me” I thought.
Gradually, over time, I became a more experienced and confident
driver. However, instead of becoming even more careful; the more
confident I became, the less intensely careful I was. Now, I mostly
drive with one hand on the steering wheel; while the other performs
minor “chores”, like texting, facetiming, making a call, or
searching my playlists.

It’s
disturbing to realize that distracted driving habits, just like mine,
contribute to almost 3,300 deaths every single day. Every year, more
than 40 million are injured or disabled due to vehicle accidents.

When
I am the passenger of someone who is obviously distracted, my instant
reaction is to fear that person will lose control or rear-end
someone. However, I don’t always feel the need to warn them or let
them know my fears or concerns. Often, I feel hypocritical because I
know the same people I am judging, have also been my passenger and
undoubtedly, have witnessed my distracted driving habits also. Too
often, we say nothing, when we should be warning and holding each
other accountable before it’s too late.

Our
schools
can make serious efforts to have small group discussions, even if
impromptu, which encourage students to reflect on, and express their
concerns for their own road safety. Discuss local victims, and the
devastations that distracted driving has caused in their lives. Such
a collaboration may be an excellent idea for students to understand
and relate to the viewpoints of their peers.

Death
changes people; especially tragic death. Educate young people, all
people, by changing their hearts, minds, perspectives, and realities
concerning the dangers of texting and distracted driving. Those
final defining moments that results in tragic death, changes lives
forever.