Don’t Text and Drive

Distracted Driving

Technology is the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes. From the invention of the wheel, to the lightbulb, to the car, and to the phone, technology has propelled us into the future; however, these innovations have not come without their own vices. In this day and age, we live in a society completely overrun by electronics and the internet, and this immersion into the virtual world has created a “refresh” culture. There is a need to constantly stay connected with the virtual world, constantly stay entertained, and constantly refresh for more information. Unfortunately this need to be connected has affected the way people drive. According to the United States Department of Transportation, distracted driving claimed 2,841 lives in 2018 alone. Distracted driving includes any activity that takes away attention from the road and other drivers, such as texting or talking on the phone, talking to people in the vehicle, and fiddling with the radio. Texting while driving is such an influencing factor in distracted driving and causing accidents that is has developed its own campaign. The Don’t Text and Drive campaign has made a lot headway in informing people of the consequences of texting while driving; however, change is still needed. In many states, the Don’t text and Drive campaign is part of the required curriculum in gaining a driving license as well as there being fines in place if caught texting while driving. Despite these measures taken, texting while driving is still a leading cause in distracted driving causing to accidents. The most clear and concise way to eliminate this distraction is to simply turn off the phone for the time of the drive; but unfortunately this may not be possible due to the use of GPS or having to answer emergent calls from a loved one. The best thing to do if one does have to access their phone while on a drive, is to pull over into an allowed area when it is safe. If the phone does have to be accessed while in the car and another passenger is present, the passenger should access the phone so the driver can stay focused on the road. Additionally, if a bluetooth system is available, connecting the phone to the car’s bluetooth system can help keep the driver focused. Texting while driving is a serious issue that must be addressed. According to the CDC, the group at highest risk for getting into accidents are those from ages 16-19. The combination of being a new driver and the generation’s fixation with being connected at all times can be lethal leading to many accidents. It is up to each individual in society to be kind and courteous to others as well as themselves and put their phone away while driving. Overall, while the technological innovations of the past decades have completely changed the way we live and access information in a positive light, it has also dangerously affected driving culture. The cell phone should be used as a tool to better lives, not end them.