Don’t Drive Dangerously

My mother was involved in a near-fatal car accident was she was 17. She was in a coma for four days as a result of a traumatic brain injury. Her head hit a tree that came halfway into the car from the passenger side. She almost died three times – when the pressure in her brain was dangerously high, when her lungs filled with fluid, and when the doctors gave her codeine and she went into cardiac arrest. Although this accident was the result of road conditions, it has made driving safely a priority in our family.

Ever since I got my permit, my mom repeatedly states “Don’t use your phone while driving!”. When my friends pick me up, she even tells them “No phone while driving!” Car accidents are reported daily on the news, and they are often caused by people using their phones while driving. Reducing distractions is important to prevent driving-related deaths and for the safety of all drivers and passengers.

One way to do this is to provide education to all licensed drivers about the dangers of distracted driving, such as schools incorporating driver education programs. This will teach drivers about the risks associated with texting or using social media while driving. Guest speakers who have experienced the consequences of distracted driving firsthand could give presentations describing their impact. Hefty fines, suspended licenses, or even hurting another person may be a big deterrent to these risky driving behaviors. Drivers should also be educated about all the factors that influence driving, such as road conditions, weather, other drivers ‘behaviors, and the condition of the vehicles being driven. In NYS, you only need a 5-hour pre-licensing course. My mother also made me take a Driver’s Education class, as well as a Defensive Driving course before she would let me drive alone – even though I had passed my driver’s test. All three of these courses should be required in every state.

Enforcement by police is a second strategy, which involves them cracking down on distracted driving. They can increase patrols and issue fines to drivers caught texting or using social media while driving. This would be a big deterrent to drivers, especially teenagers, who may be tempted to use their phones. In addition, parents should be involved in educating teen drivers. Teaching their teenagers safe driving habits in advance can help reduce these bad habits.

Teens especially may be more likely to have dangerous driving habits. We are inexperienced drivers and are still learning how to navigate the roads. We are not familiar with different driving conditions, such as bad weather, and don’t know how to respond appropriately in situations. Sometimes I see my friends texting or using social media while driving because it seems like it is urgent to them. Our brains are still developing, and the part of the brain responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and risk assessment is not fully developed. This may make it more challenging for us to recognize and avoid driving behaviors that are not safe. My friends and I often say “I am a good driver!” or “I know how to drive!” when our parents tell us to drive safely. We are probably overconfident and this can lead us to take risks while driving. It is easy to become distracted while driving, by our phones, music, or other people in the car with us, which can increase the risk of accidents. It is important to address these factors and help teens develop safe driving habits and avoid dangerous behaviors on the road. This can be accomplished by providing education and resources to help teens develop safe driving habits.

I know every time I get in the car, even if she is not around, I can hear my mother saying “Don’t use your phone while driving!” Being aware of the dangers of distracted driving is very important to reduce them. Parents can also set specific rules, such as not using their phone while driving, and modeling good driving behavior themselves. Finally, technology can also be used to reduce dangerous driving habits, such as apps that disable texting and social media notifications while driving, or devices that block phone use when a car is in motion.

Discouraging distracted driving among drivers and teenagers, promoting positive messages about safe driving habits, and highlighting the consequences of distracted driving, may lead us to think twice before engaging in dangerous driving behaviors. Overall, reducing dangerous driving habits among licensed drivers requires a combination of the approaches mentioned, including education, enforcement, involving parents, and technology. By taking this broad approach, we can work to create a safer driving environment for everyone on the road.