Staying Safe Behind the Wheel

Rachel Wile

2021 Driver Education Initiative Award

Staying Safe Behind the Wheel

In modern society, the automobile has given us immense freedom in the way we travel and navigate the world. Imagine how our lives would change if car travel was no longer available. The freedom to go where we want, when we want, has opened up opportunities and new adventures that improve our quality of life. However, since cars have become such an integral part of our everyday lives, we often take them for granted and forget about the dangers that can exist on the road.

I discovered the importance of safe driving early in life. When I was 11 years old, a friend of mine was on a road trip with her family. While on the freeway, the driver of the vehicle turned her head to the backseat to check on the children for just a moment. When she turned back, she had to swerve to avoid a collision causing the family’s car to hit a median in the road. This led the car to roll multiple times and each member of her family was injured. Unfortunately, my friend was not wearing a seat belt and passed away from the accident. She would have turned 25 this year. This event impacted the way I approached driving and being a passenger from that day forward. I knew that it only takes a split second for an accident to occur and for a family’s world to change.

My friend’s story is not rare. Every year, approximately 1.35 million people die in road crashes worldwide. An additional 20-50 million people suffer injuries every year, often leading to long-term disabilities (ASIRT, 2020). The majority of these crashes involve some form of driver distraction. The main forms of distractions that occur while driving are: 1) manual distractions, in which drivers take at least one hand off the wheel, 2) visual distractions, which cause drivers to take their eyes off of the road, and 3) cognitive distractions, which prevent drivers from fully focusing on all of the aspects necessary for safe driving (Accredited Schools Online, 2020). Distracted driving has an even greater detrimental effect on young drivers due to lack of experience behind the wheel. In order to prevent fatal road crashes, there needs to be a focus on preventing distracted driving through continuous education of the public.

There is tremendous value in sharing the stories of those who have been killed or impacted by road crashes due to distracted driving, which is why I chose to include my own personal experience in this piece. Hearing real stories regarding the impact of distracted driving can help other drivers understand that the same situation can happen to them if they do not change their habits. My friend was never able to graduate high school, she will never go to college, she will never accomplish her dream career of becoming a journalist, and she will never get married or have children of her own. All of those dreams and aspirations were gone in a second because of the road accident. I hope that when I tell others about this incident, they think about it every time they get behind the wheel. When they reach for their cell phone while driving, or they choose to not buckle their seat belt after turning their key in the ignition, or they slide into the driver’s seat after a night of drinking, I hope this story or one of the millions like it, changes their mind.

In addition to sharing these important stories, other steps can be taken to prevent specific kinds of distracted driving. One of the main causes of distracted driving in young drivers is cell phone use while on the road, which is a manual and visual distraction. Texting while driving is an often-cited cause of road accidents, but it is important to note the dangers of talking on the phone as well. Talking on the phone, even hands-free, quadruples the risk of crashing (UCSD TREDS, 2020). Encouraging continuous conversations with young drivers about the rules and responsibilities involved in driving by parents, educators, and other role models can help stop young drivers from turning their eyes away from the road to their phones. Additionally, using safe driving apps, which prevent the driver from texting, accessing apps, or calling while on the road, can help drivers of all ages prevent the temptation of reaching for their phone while driving. If the app is not available for an individual’s cell phone, turning the phone off and leaving it in the back seat can act for the same purpose. Eliminating the possibility of the distraction from a cell phone can help ensure drivers’ attention stays on the road to avoid potential collisions.

Another type of distracted driving can come in the form of impaired driving. Impaired driving includes driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, as well as driving while fatigued. Young drivers are often students with busy schedules and not enough sleep, leading them to get behind the wheel while feeling groggy. Additionally, young drivers may begin to try alcohol or drugs and not recognize its effect on them before driving. One of the ways to decrease impaired driving is to empower those around the driver to speak up. Providing driving education at schools and universities can help high school and college-age drivers identify when they might be impaired, or when a friend appears impaired. Teaching specific intervening techniques and solutions to utilize when they see someone who appears to be impaired can prevent them from becoming a passive bystander in the situation, and may prevent another impaired driver from getting behind the wheel. Even if it feels intimidating, it is important that every member of the public, including young people, know the importance of their voice and the impact they can have on promoting safer streets for everyone. By offering easily accessible drivers’ education, high school and college-age drivers can learn about alternatives to driving while impaired, such as utilizing ride-sharing companies. Everyone needs to ensure that drivers take advantage of these transportation alternatives when necessary to help prevent more fatal accidents.

Ultimately, it is absolutely imperative that a driver’s eyes remain on the road, their hands stay on the wheel, and that they remain alert and attentive during the entire duration of driving. Manual, visual, and cognitive distractions are much more likely to lead to fatal road crashes when young drivers are behind the wheel, highlighting the importance of early education and prevention. All drivers need to always be vigilant each time they enter a vehicle. Otherwise, another person’s life may be cut short.

Works Cited

Accredited Schools Online. Students & Distracted Driving. 2020,

www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/resources/students-distracted-driving/.

ASIRT. “Road Safety Facts.” Association for Safe International Road Travel, 2021,

www.asirt.org/safe-travel/road-safety-facts/

UCSD. “Distracted Driving.” TREDS Training Research and Education for Driving Safety,

2020, treds.ucsd.edu/distracted-driving/.