In today’s society, teenagers around the country are becoming more and more distracted while driving. Distracted driving can ruin your life in a matter of seconds. This is when the driver of the vehicle is not giving all of their attention to the road. This can be you changing the radio, getting something from the backseat, and even putting on makeup while on the road. Although everyone should avoid these bad habits, teen drivers should avoid it the most. Why teenagers you ask? Because of the lack of inexperience distracted driving can be not only very dangerous to teens but fatal as well. This type of driving can happen anywhere, it can happen while you are traveling on the road, on the highway, at a stoplight, even when you are reversing in your driveway. This type of absentminded driving happens way more often than you may think. There is always going to be something that is distracting you while driving, but it is important to try your best to ignore it. Friends in the car, your phone, and food and drinks are some of the biggest distractions we face while driving. It is important to know that those things can wait.

As technology advances every day, teens and new drivers are more and more likely to use it while driving causing more accidents and taking more lives. We need to educate young drivers that when they are behind the wheel they need to have all their focus on the road. Although sometimes we don’t realize, driving can be a very dangerous thing. Things like picking up your phone to change the song, eating food you just picked up, and looking down at your GPS are all things that take you attention away from the road. These little distractions can have big consequences. What can we do to prevent these consequences? We can teach these new drivers to be responsible while driving. Parents and adults should also demonstrate good driving habits when they have a teenager in the car.

Although no one wants to hear it, life is short. So why create situations where you can cause yours or others’ lives to end. Accidents are very common, every day there is a new one on the side of the road. Even though many accidents do not cause irreversible damage, many do cause innocent lives to be taken. In 2019, it was reported that distracted driving was a factor in 8.5% of fatal motor vehicle crashes. 1 in 5 16-year-old drivers has an accident within their first year of driving. Sharon Heit the mother of Alexander Heit lost her son because he lost control of the wheel while texting and driving. A glance at your phone can have fatal consequences. Distracted driving claimed about 3,450 lives in 2016 alone. Think about how that has not only impacted their families but their friends, teachers, and peers as well.

Practicing safe habits while you are behind the wheel can prevent accidents from happening. This can be putting on your seatbelt, putting your phone away, and always checking your surroundings. These small changes in your driving routine not only can save the lives of others but save your own life.