The Unknown Danger

Although
teens may be aware that driving is often unsafe and dangerous,
especially if you practice unsafe driving methods, most are not aware
of the true extent of fatalities that occur each year from car
related accidents. Many teens and even adults practice unsafe driving
on a daily basis. I have heard stories that make me shiver to think
about the consequences that could happen from their habits. From
driving while watching Netflix to even driving while playing video
games, with absolutely no concern or thought for others on the road
or even for themselves. I believe that if everyone in our nation were
more aware of the dangers of being distracted while driving and the
horrible stories of past accidents, our roads would be far more safe
with people practicing a lot more caution to keep themselves away
from the stories of other tragedies. I feel the first step into
reaching the minds of the younger generations for driving safety
would be to get their attention. At the present I know for a fact
most teens dismiss the warnings of their drivers ed classes and
billboards cautioning them to stop texting. My generation along with
the others close to mine, have become so used to the easy access
entertainment that their phones provide that it now takes much more
effort to get their attention and even more not to lose it in
seconds. The key to peaking their interest is by using social media
and prominent celebrities to speak out on the cause of distracted
driving. As much as we dismiss it, celebrities and social media have
so much influence on millions of people in our society and the sway
that they can make on people’s decisions is immense. Getting them to
speak out would almost instantly get thousands of people to become
more aware of the bad habits they are practicing and try to change
their ways. Another way to get people’s attention would be to get
more horror stories of past accidents to the eyes of teens and adults
alike. Even though it may not seem like a good approach and would
instead cause many people to be scarred, fear is a great tool to help
people come to a realization that what they are doing is very
dangerous. This in turn would hopefully help them become safer on the
roads and understand the need to be a conscious driver to keep
themselves and others safe. Even my own family needs to learn of the
dangers on the road. I have watched my mother on many occasions go to
text while she is driving, even though I had insisted on texting for
her and eventually even take the phone out of her hands no matter how
mad she gets at me. This is one of the main reasons that I try my
hardest to be the best driver I can because I have seen others so
unconcerned with their safety and I do not want to end up becoming a
mindless driver as others have. But I feel that if I can practice
safe driving habits and work to educate more people in my school and
community, I will be able to at least make a small difference in the
safety of our roads at least in my town. And maybe even save a few
people from becoming the horror stories I have seen.