Texting & Driving

Lifting as we Climb” is the National Association of Colored Women founding principle is the principle and is

echoed its work. Core members of the Association were educators, entrepreneurs, and social activists. They believed

that by elevating their status as community organizers and leaders, black women could elevate the status of their entire

communities. Like NACW, I strongly believe that volunteer community service and civic involvement is the tide that will

lift all boats and empower our communities to achieve higher standards of living. I have demonstrated my commitment

to lift as I climb by my service with OBAP and other community organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America, Civil Air

Patrol and 4-H. I strongly believe that my service will have a substantial impact on generations to come as I follow in the

legacy and footsteps of great OBAP pioneers such as Captain James Gwyn, Captain Edward L Horn, Captain Duane

Moorer and Robert McCommon

Lifting as we Climb” is the National Association of Colored Women founding principle is the principle and is

echoed its work. Core members of the Association were educators, entrepreneurs, and social activists. They believed

that by elevating their status as community organizers and leaders, black women could elevate the status of their entire

communities. Like NACW, I strongly believe that volunteer community service and civic involvement is the tide that will

lift all boats and empower our communities to achieve higher standards of living. I have demonstrated my commitment

to lift as I climb by my service with OBAP and other community organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America, Civil Air

Patrol and 4-H. I strongly believe that my service will have a substantial impact on generations to come as I follow in the

legacy and footsteps of great OBAP pioneers such as Captain James Gwyn, Captain Edward L Horn, Captain Duane

Moorer and Robert McCommon

Stephen R. Covey said, “I am not a product of my circumstances I am a product of my decisions”. I have found this to be true as I observe increasing of accidents and fatalities due to distracted driving and impaired driving. I am a firm believer that today’s decisions are tomorrows realities and life today is a collection of choices made yesterday. I am making the choice to apply the knowledge, wisdom and best practices learned from drivers ed to be a responsible driver.

Making good driving decisions starts first with understanding the problem. I learned that over 3,166 people are killed by distracted driving each year. This is 8.5% of the total National Highway Traffic fatalities each year. Over 25% of the distractions were related to use of a cell phone. There was also a total of 599 pedestrians and bicyclist killed by distracted drivers. Daily, there are 9 fatalities and more than 1000 injuries. I understand that behind the statistics are real families. This serves as a moral motivation for me to make good decisions as it relates to driving. In addition to moral motivation, I am also aware that there are over 7 million people in the U.S who have suspended license from alcohol or driving related incidents. I choose to make good driving decisions as an adult because I understand that driving is a privilege not a right and it can be taken away if abused.

In order to make good decisions we must also live our virtues and values. In 2018, I led a “It Can Wait” campaign at my school to impact my community. With the support of my counselor and Boy Scout Troup, I was able to get 121 of my fellow students to take the pledge” which reads.

“I pledge to always drive distraction free. No exceptions. I pledge to never allow my phone to endanger myself or others behind the wheel. I pledge to be an advocate for the cause. To lead by example and spread the message. I pledge because I believe driving distraction free can save lives and make the world a better place”.

I also shared with the group the three types of distracted driving; manual, when your hands are away from the wheel; visual, when your eyes are away from the road and cognitive when your mind wonders away from the task of driving and how texting involves all three.

In addition to knowing the statistics and championing the cause in my community, I have the benefit of the in-depth preparation required by the state of Georgia for new drivers, Joshua’s Law. The law was named after Joshua Brown, who died in an accident in 2003. Joshua’s parents joined with legislators in an effort to put stronger driver training laws into effect. The end result was The Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act (TADRA), a law that requires teens get specific driving experience and instruction before obtaining licensing beyond the learner’s permit. The law also implemented a graduated driver licensing system, imposing time-of-day and passenger restrictions on drivers aged 16 and 17. Completing the requirements of Joshua’s Law helped me to learn the importance and huge responsibility of operating a vehicle. It also prepared me to make good decisions as it relates to transportation of passengers in my vehicle and my responsibility to them. I think it would be helpful if the federal government mandated such a law as a requirement in all states since people often move and travel across state lines. In addition to competing the requirements for Joshua’s Law, I completed the Alcohol & Drug Awareness Program (ADAP) and earned the Traffic Safety Merit Badge on my path to becoming and Eagle Scout.

In summary, the horrible statistics related to distracted driving continue to grow at an alarming rate. As phones become more engraved into people lives the need to always look at it will be a temptation. To help manage this distraction and make good decisions as an adult I will do the following: (1) use the knowledge learned from Joshua’s Law and (ADAP). (2) remind myself of the rising accidents, injuries, fatalities and broken families (3) continue my work in the community through “It Can Wait” (4) Activation of the “Do not disturb while driving” feature on my phone. Passengers who ride with me have learned to respect and some have adopted my best practices to safe driving. leadership by example, is one of the most effective methods of convincing others to practice safe driving habits. I also keep in mind the moral and punitive motivations related to unsafe and distracted driving. Driving deaths impacts families and license suspensions keep us from working to support our families. These will all help me to make good driving decisions as an adult.