I have had my license for 7 months, and I do my best to stay focused and apply defensive driving strategies when I drive to school and work. Impaired driving to me means handling a vehicle while being intoxicated or distracted. Usually, when we think of impaired driving, we typically think about drunk driving. However, I believe especially among teenagers, the two most prevalent causes that impact driving safely are speeding and cell phone distracted driving. Using your cell phone while driving combined with speeding can be the worst action a teenager can take, as it makes it so easy to lose control of the vehicle, leading to devastating and fatal consequences. 

 

While drunk driving is still very high among teens compared to cell phone distracted driving accidents, I found a report from the Georgia Highway Safety Facts. (2022), which says cell phone-related distracted driving is increasing in Georgia. In 2021, the confirmed distraction-related fatal crashes and fatalities out of the total fatal crashes were 3.0% and in 2022, it was up to 4.4%. It is sad, but it seems to me to reflect what is happening in my town, as I remember the last two summers hearing about accidents involving teens that occurred because of distracted driving and speeding.

My mom shared with me an unfortunate story about a car accident when I started learning to drive. Two brothers were on their way to a dentist’s appointment; they were driving on a main road close to my house. The older brother, who was driving, was on his phone. This left him unable to yield to the bus approaching from his direction. He was also going too fast, and his car was lodged into the bottom of the bus, and the two brothers were killed instantly. I now drive past the same road at least once a week. I will never forget that story that changed the way I think about impaired driving. A mom lost her two teenage sons because of distracted driving; a wrong decision can change your life forever.

This story influenced my choices behind the wheel because it taught me the consequences of impaired driving; that it doesn’t just affect you, but others as well. I learned to always drive to the best of my ability and not to be distracted or impaired.  It also made me realize how quickly a simple mistake can turn into something life-changing. Hearing how one person’s decision impacted so many people reminded me that every time I get behind the wheel, I’m responsible for the safety of everyone around me. Overall, the story motivates me to think before I act. It encourages me to be a more aware, cautious, and responsible driver. 

An uplifting story about making good choices and practicing good driving habits is about my 80-year-old grandfather, who still drives. When I ride with him in his car, he makes sure his phone is put away, turns off notifications while driving, and uses a Garmin GPS. I have noticed he uses his turn signals all the time, even when turning into his driveway.  My mom reminds me that it’s his consistent practice of good driving choices that has formed his driving habits, and he now does them automatically.

Some teenagers can overlook the severity of impaired driving due to cellphone usage distractions and become comfortable in their driving abilities because they can feel confident in their driving abilities after spending many hours behind the wheel. They can also come to think they can control the wheel under any circumstance. However, handling your cell phone to check incoming texts or changing the music on your playlist for a second can distract you and cause you to miss the chance to react defensively and avoid dangerous actions by another driver that could turn fatal. I can relate to how hard it is to resist the urge to pick up the cell phone after getting in the car. Therefore, I believe it’s important to take driving education.

I took an online defensive driving course; it taught me strategies to become a skilled defensive driver, which is a positive attitude to adopt. Some modules give real-life stories of people who drive while impaired and the fatal consequences that occur. It's all about changing behavior. Once you learn these, the course emphasizes sticking to them and applying them consistently to form good driving habits. Most importantly, it taught me practical strategies I use while driving to school and work, such as turning off notifications and putting my phone away in the glove compartment. Also, to have situational awareness, be kind to other drivers, even if they are not following the rules.   

I believe I can play a positive role, even in small ways, to prevent car accidents because of impaired driving. I think I can instill good driving habits in my friends who have not taken defensive driving education. When I ride with them, I can act responsibly, place my cellphone away, and ask them to support me by not distracting me while I drive.

The sad statistics that indicate that distracted driving is increasing as a percentage of fatal accidents should not overwhelm us, but rather prompt us to take responsibility and be prepared by taking driving education classes. Above all, practicing on a day-to-day basis, strategies learned to form good driving habits and protect lives.