Distracted Driving Awareness

    Distractions are all around us. Whether we ignore them or not is our choice. In just the blink of an eye, lives are changed. It’s not just about your safety, but the safety of those around you. Let’s dive into the world of driving recklessly. 

    I am actually a victim of distracted driving which changed my point of view in terms of road safety. On November 12, 2022, I was struck by a male deer on my driver’s side completely bending my door and breaking my side mirror. The cause of this was because my music playlist was not working and I decided to grab my phone to change it. As I reached for my phone, fate hit me in the form of nature. Shocked by the incident, I quickly parked my car in a dead end road to inspect my vehicle but there was only one problem, my door was completely jammed. I crawled through my passenger side door and goosebumps went down my spine. My brand new 2020, Nissan Sentra was crippled and broke my heart. I rushed to my house and called the insurance company for repairs. It was a huge struggle of what the accident was entitled such as, location, number of passengers, dashcam videos, photos, etc… Thank the Lord my insurance paid for approximately 7 thousand dollars in repairs. Although it was a good sign, they accidentally towed my car to the wrong place. It was towed to Caliber Collision in Arlington, Texas which is approximately an hour away from my home town Cleburne. With all the paperwork and ordering parts, it took more than 2 months for my car to be fixed. I could not drive to my job, church, or any other necessities all because I wanted to play music. I ended up borrowing my cousin’s car just to do simple stuff  on a time frame. I learned the hard way that one second is enough time to turn your life around. I often find myself telling my family members to drive safely because of my experience. I vowed to never be distracted again and to be aware of my surroundings. 

      . Did you know that every day 926 people are injured or every 90 seconds someone is injured in a drunk driving crash according to a study made by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration? On average, 3000 people are killed yearly due to distractions on the road according to the Department of Transportation statistics. These casualties are so horrible that April of every year has been dedicated as the  National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. This is one way of spreading awareness and preventing more casualties. DOT highly recommends to pedestrians and all road vehicles to respect and be aware of your surroundings. This includes turning off your devices while driving, always wearing your seatbelt, and comply with local, state and federal laws. Handling distractions while parked is a great way to prevent distractions while on the road. While parked, program your route and place music beforehand. Asking passengers to make these actions can ultimately save lives. Always keep both hands on the wheel while driving and keep your mind focused on what’s in front of you. As the passenger, you also have a huge responsibility as you can change the outcome of everyone in the vehicle. Passengers should speak up if the driver is doing something dangerous or distracted. Say no to any potential distractions that could cause a wreck. Help operate the GPS, radio and all other side duties. Make sure the driver is well enough to drive such as, wide awake, mentally and physically well and obeying signs. 

     Maintaining the speed limit is not only the law, but protects drivers from curves,landmarks and traffic. Watching safety road videos is a great way to protect yourself before taking a trip. Storm Training beforehand can save you time and effort as well. Make sure to properly secure your kids in their seats and pets in the car. This means no petting animals or reaching for a childrens toy while conducting the vehicle. As an adult, set an example for others by focusing on the road. Another way to spread distracted driving awareness is to invite guest speakers and explain their testimony. I often remember times where in middle school and highschool, guest speakers would explain how they lost limbs or loved ones due to distracted driving. Eating in the car is another leading cause of road accidents. I believe everyone has eaten at least once while driving. No matter what form the distraction appears to you, resist the temptation to be distracted and focus on others and your safety. A major red flag is consuming alcohol while driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drunk driving costs the U.S approximately 132 billion dollars each year. This is money that could go to fixing potholes, landmarks, road services and more. To put that into perspective, every 2 minutes a person is injured due to a drunk driving crash. I personally have lost family members and friends because of these situations. Drinking interventions have impacted many lives and are a method to prevent drinking while driving. If you are intoxicated already, it’s best if you sleep at a friend’s house or manage to get another driver. Taking public transit can be another option if you’re not feeling well after drinking.  If you know you have to drive home, ask yourself these questions. How much and how long do you plan to drink? Do you have someone to call for immediate pickup? Do you have somewhere to stay as a backup plan? If with friends , are you willing to stay sober for their safety? 

    In conclusion, we as a community should spread distracted driving awareness to everyone we meet in order to prevent injury and fatalities. Do not be afraid to speak out and influence others. As a victim of distracted driving, I vow to always enforce local, state, and federal laws to prevent further accidents.