“In a split second, you could ruin your future, injure or kill others, and tear a hole in the heart of everyone who loves you.”

 

     This quote, unfortunately, rings all too real for those who have experienced tragedy due to distracted driving. Driving distracted is extremely dangerous; however, we can understand that while driving, the temptation to pick up your phone to text, make a call, or fidget is strong. 

    Teen driver safety is a serious public issue because automobile accidents are one of the leading causes of death for teenagers. Teenagers are more likely to misjudge dangerous situations, participate in risky behavior while behind the wheel, and are less likely to recognize hazardous road conditions due to their inexperience. Driver’s education plays an important role by teaching young drivers the rules of driving, defensive driving techniques, the dangers and consequences of distracted driving, and the importance of personal responsibility behind the wheel. A strong education program can be the key to a lifetime of safe driving habits, helping people share safe driving behaviors and thereby reducing the likelihood of accidents.

      So far, I have been fortunate not to experience the consequences of distracted driving; however, I will recount a harrowing experience a friend shared with me. My friend and a few of his friends were fortunate to escape serious injuries, just a few months after getting his license. He was distracted, talking and laughing with his friends, as he tried to show off his driving skills by speeding at night. He underestimated a curve on the road and took it too sharply. He panicked and overcorrected, losing control, and the car spun twice before coming to a complete stop, nearly colliding with a tree. The only harm was a bruised ego and scared passengers. Thankfully, there were no parked or approaching vehicles nearby. This time, they were all able to walk away and learn a valuable lesson. This incident was a wake-up call for all, especially for my friend, the driver. This experience taught him and me that one reckless moment can have lasting consequences, not just for him but for everyone involved. He realized his mistakes of not following proper driving habits and wanting to show off, and his lack of driving experience contributed to a possible serious or fatal accident. 

Fortunately, there are various tips teenage drivers can utilize for safe driving:

·       Turning off the phone, using apps or settings that block notifications while driving.

·       Inform your passengers beforehand that you need no or few distractions to drive safely.

·       Practicing with a responsible adult in a variety of conditions.

·       Do not indulge in alcohol or drug use before driving, or if you choose to do so, call your parents, a     sober licensed friend, or use a ride share service. 

·       Choose a co-pilot or pilots to handle your phone, music, or GPS.

·       Place the phone in the glove box to lessen the temptation to use it while driving.

·       Get enough rest or pull over if drowsiness creeps in. 

·       Not to indulge in activities that will divert your attention from driving safely, i.e., eating, watching a movie or YouTube, or applying makeup. 

    As a society, we can take additional steps to instill the importance of driving safely for teens who are prone to reckless behavior while behind the wheel.

      Everyone behind the wheel must remember that driving is a privilege and not a right. Parents, family members, friends, elected officials, the clergy, as well as experienced young adult drivers, should remind teen drivers that they should treat their vehicle as a loaded gun, which is lethal if misused. We all should take responsibility before and while driving. 

      In conclusion, we should always make it our goal, once behind the wheel, to protect ourselves and the public, which must always be our number one priority.