As children transition into teenagers, there is a handful of new experiences to look forward to. Being able to drive is one of the many perks that teenagers look forward to. Many teens get caught up in the amount of freedom driving gives them that they often forget the many responsibilities that go with being a driver.
Being a responsible driver means not being distracted. Many distractions that drivers encounter are often more serious than drivers believe them to be. Distractions are one of the top causes of accidents.
Although eating and drinking are thought to be “minuscule” distractions, they can have massive effects on drivers. If something spills, it causes drivers to respond and draws attention away from the road. Greasy hands also mean less control of the steering wheel.
Freshman Rylee Arecchi said, “When my parents eat while they drive, I notice that their driving becomes more reckless. They take wider turns and often drift to one side of the lane they are in and get really close to other cars.”
Applying makeup or grooming diverts girls’ attention from the road to look into vanity mirror in the fold down visor.
Senior Meryl Tagata Mindo said, “I was once in a car where my friend did her makeup while at a stop light. She was so focused on her makeup that she did not realize that the light had turned from red to green. The car behind us ended up beeping his horn at us.”
Another distracting habit is the use of onboard electronics. Newer cars are manufactured with all types of gadgets that are supposed to aid a driver; however, more often than not, the high-tech gadgets can be dangerous if operated while driving. DVD players, radios, iPod adaptors and navigation systems require focus on a screen and away from the road.
Senior Elizabeth Serrao said, “While I am driving, I use an iPod adaptor to play music. I can change my music within seconds. I do not think that it affects the way I drive.”
The one distraction that has been heavily advertised for the past few years is texting and updating social media. Prior to the 2000s, this was never a problem for drivers; however, with the dawn of the new technological age, it has become one of the most deadly distractions. It is currently the number one killer of teen drivers.
As a driver on the road, it is important to be responsible. Distractions can lead to disastrous situations, not only for oneself but for other drivers as well. It is important to remember to focus solely on the task of driving safely to ensure everyone’s safety and decrease the number of accidents on the road.
