Name: Megan Sigler
From: Coldwater, Ohio
Votes: 0
There
is a fatal epidemic sweeping our nation. This disease differs from
others, as it has crept up on our society. It is often left unspoken,
although it has become the secondary cause of unintentional death in
healthy Americans of all ages (NHTSA, 2018). This deadly epidemic is
commonly known as distracted driving. On average, poor driving habits
result in over 100 fatalities in the United States every single day.
These statistics add up to over 37,000 preventable deaths each year
(ASIRT). Simple acts can prevent these unnecessary accidents, such as
spreading awareness and practicing safe driving habits.
Although
there is data for how many driving-related fatalities have occurred,
the number of affected lives is unimaginable. Heartbroken families
and friends of victims must face reality every day. Their loved one
is gone, and little is being done to prevent this tragedy from
striking another family. As a nation, we must come together to fight
this epidemic.
Some
people may believe that unsafe driving is inevitable, but there are
several possible preventatives. Awareness is a dominant factor in
this fight. Instead of being left unaddressed, driving-related
fatalities must be discussed to spread awareness. Countless people
are left unaware of the poor driving statistics and how it could
affect their lives. Little do these people know, they could be the
next victim of a driving tragedy. Drivers’ education classes also
help to spread awareness. Teens must participate in these classes
before receiving their license to gain a full understanding of the
dangers of the road. Another beneficial approach is to set a good
example. If children watch their parents regularly text and drive,
they are likely to do the same. Likewise, if they witness their
parents turn off their phones before hitting the road, they will
follow the pattern.
Personally,
I take every opportunity to prevent a driving tragedy. Instead of
using my phone to reply to a text or control the music while driving,
I ask the passenger to do it for me. If there aren’t any
passengers, I park my car or wait until I reach my destination. I
also enforce these ideas whenever I am a passenger. If the
driver reaches for their phone to respond to a message, I offer to do
it for them or kindly ask them to avoid distractions. Although these
are simple acts, they could potentially save my life.
Overall,
there are solutions to this fatal epidemic, but success will take a
nation of willing people. Preventatives include spreading awareness
and setting good examples. If there is a passenger present in the
car, they should be assigned the duty of handling phones and the
radio. One unsafe driver has the power to permanently affect several
families through the heartbreak of losing a loved one. Do not be at
fault for this distraught heartbreak. Instead, it is best to do
everything you can to stop this epidemic in its tracks. In the end,
unsafe drivers are on the path to an inevitable tragedy.
“Road
Safety Facts.” Association for Safe
International Road Travel,
https://www.asirt.org/safe-travel/road-safety-facts/.
“Motor
Vehicle Traffic Crashes as a Leading Cause of Death in the U.S.,
2015.” NHTSA. Traffic Safety Facts,
Feb. 2018.
