Ever since my sister and her mother passed away in a car accident, close friends and family have become more aware/cautious of the treacherous dangers of driving. Before I leave to go places, I am reminded to send a text message or phone call when I reach my destination. I tend to do the same to my boyfriend, friends, and family members. I am reminded before they leave of the unpredictable scenarios that could take place on the road. After analyzing past and current events related to car wrecks, I have come to the realization that regardless of whether or not someone has encountered a loss due to a car accident, they should be aware of their driving techniques and cautious of those around them. There are several activities that we partake in while driving that are not worth doing at the time such as texting, drinking, speeding, as well as other small diversions we partake in.
With today's technology, we are capable of communicating with one another with the touch of a few buttons. We went from huge dinosaur phones to smart phones. We are capable of sending text messages, tweeting, taking snap chats and updating our Facebook whenever we please. The only problem with this advanced technology is that it is a disadvantage when it is used while driving. People of all ages are guilty of taking a snap or sending a text to a friend while on the road. News cast after news cast, we are informed of car accidents. Later on, finding out that the person that caused the accident was sending a message to a co-worker. Five seconds. That is all it takes to look at a phone and lose eye sight of the road. While looking down, you are unaware of the amount of swerving the car is capable of doing. I have been in the car with people who would text and drive and say they were capable of multitasking while driving. A few seconds afterwards, typically they are swerving into the other lane while on coming traffic is passing. Is it worth it? Is the snap worth crashing into another car? The answer is NO. All actions have consequences. Some good and others bad. Texting and driving have negative consequences that we are all aware of. If not death, a ticket.
Drinking also has the same unfavorable outcome as using your phone while driving. Unfortunately, drinking and driving is just as common as texting and driving. I don't understand what makes an individual think that it is okay for them to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. From drunk college students leaving a party to a few intoxicated friends leaving the bar. Day by day, we hear real life stories about families that have lost loved ones due to a drunk driver that ran a red light or stop sign. We are in control of the choices me make. There are alternatives to this specific circumstance like calling a taxi or friend, DD (designated driver), stay the night (if able), or do not drink. I recently watched an advertisement with a man who was in the bathroom and drunk. He was looking at his reflection and debating with himself as to whether or not he should drive home. His reflection was telling him that he should and was trying to persuade himself to do so. He was telling his reflection that he couldn't. At the end of the commercial a voice says, "Don't trust yourself when you're drinking." I strongly urge those stuck in this compromise to choose the better half by NOT drinking and driving.
While driving in different areas and on different roads, we are aware that there is a speed limit. For some odd reason, we feel as if that limit is not high enough at times so we go at the speed we find more pleasurable. Just because we feel it's not enough, doesn't mean it is okay for us to bend the speed limit and do as we please. We have embedded in our minds that we should pass those going the actual speed limit or a few digits below. We allow our anger or urgency [to get some where] to drive our motive for speeding. Consequently, police officers pull over those who go past the speed by ten or so. Depending on where you are at, the ticket can cost from twenty to two hundred dollars. Speeding may take a few minutes off your GPS destination time, but it doesn't take money off of the ticket. Speeding can also lead to accidents just as much as drinking/texting and driving.
There are other distractions that we are unaware of such as fixing our make up, eating, or changing the radio station. Anything that distracts us from driving is a barrier that prevents us from driving in a way that is safe for the passengers in our car and those around us. Altogether, we must realize that there is more on the line than our own lives. Our children's, loved ones, dear friends, and other driver's lives are at stake. We must take safety precautions for those in the car with us as well as those around us. The cars around us hold other lives. Lives that matter. We can't drive recklessly for the sake of those we are driving around and those that are driving peacefully beside us. The things discussed earlier in the article are not worth losing a loved one, killing another person, receiving a speeding ticket, and/or having financial issues over. You have the power to put the phone down, pay attention to the road, and to provide a safe trip for everyone around you. What will you do with the power that is entrusted within you?
