Why We Should All Quit Snap-driving
Start writing a post
Student Life

Why We Should All Quit Snap-driving

Most if not all young adults are guilty of this dangerous habit

268
Why We Should All Quit Snap-driving
Free Stock Photos

There’s nothing like driving 65 on the highway through a beautiful city and wanting to snap the awesome view or take snaps of yourself simply jazzing to music in your car. In a way, we are all vloggers through our Snapchat behavior because videoing has become a part of our daily lives, even in our commute. But are we really safe doing these distracting activities on the go?

Throughout this article I will be using the term “snapping” as a verb to mean the act of recording a video or taking a picture to be uploaded to a Snapchat story. For the purpose of this article, “snapping” will not include one-on-one communication with any one individual. “Snap-driving” as I call it, is another term I will be using that is simply snapping while driving.

First, I must admit I am probably the most guilty of all these habits, so I write completely from a firsthand experience. At the beginning of this week, I got a text from one of my cousins, who I have as a friend on Snapchat, advising me not to snap and drive. At first, I took the information lightly because this is something I knew I should not be doing, one of those conscience things, you know?

It can be hard to follow your conscience, though, when Snapchat seems to offer such cool incentives for snap-driving. For one, there are all the pretty geotags we all love, that show where we are. Then, there is the speed filter that shows how fast you are going, which is especially thrilling on highways. Who with a Snapchat has never tried to increase their speed just to see that number go up? I mean it’s cool…but it isn’t all fun and games.

Towards the end of this week, I heard about an incident that hit kind of close to home. A friend of mine came home to find that a teen cruising through her neighborhood, snapping while driving, had collided with her car, which was parked in her driveway, and pulled it two houses down, smashing mailboxes along the way. This, I’m sure is just one of the many examples of auto accidents occurring due to Snapchat, and thankfully no one was hurt in this instance.

However lightly we may take our snapping actions, we must realize that we are not invincible. Once you lose control over your vehicle, you lose control over your life.

From a personal standpoint, I can completely understand the sort of nonchalant feeling we have towards snap-driving. You almost feel as if it’s no big deal because for one, if you are like me and have done it many times with no repercussions, it may seem normal. Plus, all you have to do is hit the circle and keep your eyes straight ahead after that, right?

Maybe so, but then, you may want to put a witty caption with it so you have to glance down continually for that. Then, once you’ve done that, you may want to watch it to see how it looks. Or even if you don’t you have to look down long enough to hit the upload icon. So, snap-driving is really not a one-step process. In that same instant, while your eyes are on your screen, the person in front of you could brake up and you would have no idea.

The snapping itself is not the sole issue either. Other issue arises with the use of the cellphone in general, while driving. Most people have a password to their phones. Just those ten or 13 seconds it takes you to get that pattern or password could be the most fatal seconds of your life or someone else’s.

I hate being my own prime example in this, (and I plan to do better in the future, I promise!) but this has happened to me a few times. One time in particular, I was driving and wanted to play music from my tablet. Why I did not do this before I moved out of the parking lot is beyond me. Anyway, being the scatter brain I sometimes am, here I was in the car, wanting to use my tablet. I glanced down at my tablet to unlock it and got the pattern wrong. Shoot. So, I glanced back up and took a mental picture of the road, curves and all, naively thinking this would help me navigate while I have my eyes on the tablet. That sure proved to be a false sense of security! In a matter of the eight seconds I glanced down to redraw my pattern, I had already veered off the road. Luckily, I glanced up again just in time to miss the curb I was headed for.

My advice to all young adults with Snapchat who practice this dangerous habit, is to try to find safer ways of doing what you love. Instead of snap-driving, drive with a friend and have them snap you. Or, if you do happen to be alone, snap only while you are parked, that way you can still catch geotags if you so desire.

To give credit where credit is due, Snapchat does have a “Don’t snap and drive” disclaimer on their speed filter, but for many who have gotten into this habit, it is just a shrug-off. But I urge you to please heed this warning. Do not shrug it off because I promise you whatever cool thing you see or want to upload to Snapchat while driving is not worth your life or someone else’s. Wake up now. Don’t wait for the BOOM!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

51248
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

32861
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

955923
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180902
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments