Name: Sarah Kim
From: Fairfax, Virginia
Votes: 0
Sarah
Kim
11/21/19
Do
Not Disturb
“You
can anticipate better than react.” This is the first thing I
learned while learning to drive with my dad. He was basically telling
me being a cautious driver to avoid incidents is better than trying
to react when it could be too late. This quote ties in with how to
reduce death as a result of driving. Be cautious; reduce all possible
distractions. Steps that could be taken would be putting that cell
phone away. If you play music in the car, have a set playlist and
turn on “Do Not Disturb”. Apple has this setting under do not
disturb where it will automatically be lock when a car is in motion.
It gets annoying when you’re in the passenger seat because it locks
your phone but as a driver it allows me to remind myself to stay off
it. It also alerts anyone who tries to message you that you are
currently driving and if it’s an emergency there’s an option to
text “urgent” which will bypass the block. Phones are not the
only cause of distraction. When I was in second grade, I vividly
remember getting in a car accident on the highway. There was a
massive loading truck two cars behind our mini van and in between us
was a black Honda sedan. The truck driver did not see that little car
and rammed right into it, cause them to ram into our bumper. There
were no fatal incidents but stepping out and watching the newly
wedded couple cry as police officers observed their shattered back
window is a memory I’ll never forget. All because the driver lacked
being cautious of their surroundings. A few steps I could take to
become a safer driver could start with eliminating phone usage. All
my friends know I have Do Not Disturb While Driving on and a few have
even picked up on that. People learn from example so starting with
yourself is the best first step. Next would be to yell at anyone
you’re in the car with when they go on their phone. It not only
puts their life in danger, but anyone in the car or even other
drivers and pedestrians. I think the simple reminder that a car is a
weapon and the driver holds the trigger sets people straight. They’re
in control of multiple lives when they start that engine. Safe
driving is more than keeping you and the people around you safe
