Distracted Driving

Every year, around
1.25 million people are killed in car and truck wrecks, and will most
likely continue to rise if we as humans don’t start to be smarter
about how we drive. Being aware of the consequences of reckless and
unsafe driving is extremely crucial in the prevention of deaths on
roadways because it helps people understand just how dangerous the
activities they do while driving can truly be. In order to decrease
the number of deaths related to driving, I believe that we must teach
kids from a young age that distracted driving is very dangerous, and
can cause innocent people to be killed. In school systems, it should
be mandatory to teach kids starting in kindergarten the importance of
safe driving, and the effects that reckless driving can have on them,
and on the other’s involved if in an accident. If we were to teach
kids from a young age the do’s and don’ts of the road, it would be
ingrained into their minds, leading them to be safer drivers in the
future.

A couple years ago,
I experienced being in a car with a distracted driver, and was almost
involved in a wreck. My best friend’s mom was driving her daughter
and I to the rodeo, and on the way she got a text. She picked up her
phone and began to type back, but she took her eyes off the road for
too long, and almost ran into the median on the highway. She
violently swerved the car back into the lane, and acted as if nothing
had happened, continuing to finish her text. This was a very eye
opening experience, as I realized that some people truly do not
understand that they are driving distracted, and don’t see any harm
in not looking at the road in front of them.

As I think about my
driving, and my habits while I drive, I see that I have some areas to
improve in. Sometimes I take my eyes off the road to change the radio
station, or even glance at my phone to see if anyone has texted me.
Although these things aren’t taking my attention off the road for
more than a few seconds, it could still end up in a devastating wreck
if I continue to do so. I need to be more aware of the distractions I
face while driving, and try to eliminate as many as I can in order to
keep myself safe, and those around me. And as for helping to prevent
others from distracted driving, I can discourage my friends and
family from going on their phones while driving, or doing other
activities that could potentially lead to an accident, and inform
them of the consequences and outcomes that could happen if they
continue to drive distracted. Overall, informing people of the
dangers of unsafe driving, and the rising number of deaths on the
roadways can help to prevent wrecks, and hopefully save an innocent
life.