2020 Scholarship Winners

Distracted driving is a habit amongst those who operate vehicles. It’s the act of driving while engaging in activities that steer one’s attention from the road. This lack of focus can jeopardize the safety of others. The risk of distracted driving can become consequential. As a student at Albuquerque High School, I am forced to drive the freeway daily. One of the most dangerous places for drivers. Not only am I surrounded by fast-moving vehicles, and semi-trucks. I’m also bombarded with multiple distractions. Whether it be phones, food, the radio, or simply even passengers. As teenagers, we believe we are immune to these factors. Yet, approximately 13 people are killed and more than 1,000 were injured in crashes. 11 of those 13 are teenage drivers. 36% of people admit to texting and driving, doubling their chances of injury or death.

I am guilty of texting and driving. I’ve had to resort to placing my phone on “Do Not Disturb.” However, this does not stop my urge to check my latest notifications. Phones have become an addiction amongst the human race. It’s a technological plague, that leads to these fatal crashes. People tend not to see the impact of distracted driving can have on themselves, their passengers, and other drivers. It seems as if the only way to learn, is for it to happen to them. While that may be true, it’s still a matter of life and death. Hence why it is best to prevent it altogether. For example, during my freshman year of high school. A young lady was a victim of a distracted driver, who ran through a red light. The mourning students and families, all had the same question, “What caused him to be so careless?” Though we may never know the answer, what we do know is. All accidents are caused by some sort of interference. Getting behind the wheel is a dangerous state to be in. Anything can easily detour your mind from the road. Many believe that cell phone use is the cause of all accidents.

Yet, statistics show that accidents are caused by interacting with a passenger (15%), using a cellphone (12%), external distractions (10%), internal distractions (9%), music (8%), and applying makeup/ grooming (6%). These interferences should not be a driver’s main priority. Yes, it is a challenge to keep our minds focused on white lines that keep us inside our lane. At the same time, with a little research, there are ways to prevent distracted driving. As a community, we must raise awareness on the issue of understanding the risks of distracted driving. Reducing distraction from hand-held devices, and improving driver behavior is a way to start. For example, phones should be used for emergencies only. Conversations shouldn’t be carried on inside a moving vehicle, whether it be a Bluetooth call or not. As new drivers, we want to enjoy having our friends in the car. We tend to find excitement in recording videos on social media, with all our friends in the backseat.

However, limiting the number of passengers and cell phone activity in the car can create a safer driving environment. The driver is less likely to be distracted by their friends and their technology. Let’s not forget the math, friends plus music, equals distractions. Noise caused by friends is already distracting as is, when you add music, your car becomes a mobile boombox of death. I believe that picking a playlist, and a set volume, can help diffuse the urge to change the song or volume while driving. It only takes one second for a crash to happen. That second that drivers take to adjust their radio, makeup two percent of crashes. As drivers, we must trust the statistics, and become more alert to the cause and effect of distracted driving. My plan, alongside my family, is to use our devices for emergencies only. Before we enter the vehicle, we must make sure we are comfortable, and everything is adjusted before the vehicle wheels begin to move. Our phones can and will be placed inside a glove department, where it is out of hands reach. Distracted driving has shown me the outcomes and consequences. I believe that technology plays a huge factor in the number of crashes each year. If we as drivers become more educated on these risk factors, we can avoid tragic accidents. A simple text or notification can wait. Our minds should be on the drive, hands on the wheel, and eyes on the road.

Driving is a very attentive task and when someones eyes are directed off the road for one second, that is the timetable for disaster. When driving, there are countless cars on the road and although it may not seem like it, cars are dangerous weapons. They have the ability to injure or even kill someone instantly with their speed and size. According to the CDC Injury Center, approximately 9 people are killed and more than 1,000 are injured in crashes that are reported to have a distracted driver. In order to keep my family safe, my “Distracted Family Driving Plan” consists of keeping all devices out of reach, being prepared for the planned journey, and keeping each other accountable.

Driving in the passenger seat of a car allows little control of the vehicle on the road. This means that as a driver, it is important to be responsible to take responsibility and stay focused which is something I have a bad experience with. One day, I sat in the passenger seat of a car and while driving on the road, the driver decided to check their phone for who knows what. I kindly suggested they put their phone down. They didn’t put it down and when the car in front of us came to an abrupt stop, the driver didn’t see it. Luckily, they were able to slam the breaks in time before we crashed into the car. After that, I took the phone from the driver and told them they could get it when we arrive at our destination. When the devices are out of reach, it is hard to be distracted while driving. If passengers and drivers keep their phones out of reach, they become safer which is something I want my family to do. When I drive with my parents, I will keep their devices with me and when they are in the passenger seat I will give my device to them. Sometimes, devices are needed to use GPS and navigate and this means prior action needs to be taken when planning a journey. Technology these days can do a lot for those who drive. For drivers who are teens, this technology may not always be the best. Smartphone technology can be good for teen drivers because it allows teens to be able to find where they are going especially with being new to driving. Teens are also very big with social media and sometimes driving doesn’t stop them from getting on social media.

One way this issue can be solved is by setting up GPS before the car is even turned on. If the GPS is turned on, drivers can then listen to the GPS while driving without having to look at their phone at all. This is something I encourage my family highly to do because being prepared can be the deciding factor in whether an accident happens or not. The only way to make sure this plan for my family works is to keep each other accountable. Sometimes it can be hard to remember to keep the devices out of reach and turn on the GPS before driving. It is up to each other to ensure that we are safe and can come home to each other. This can be done by simply sending a quick text reminding them to do these things so when they get in the car again, they remember what they need to do to stay safe. We also need to keep ourselves accountable. This can be done by setting an alarm every time you get out the car to again remind ourselves to put our devices away and set up GPS. Being safe is more important than anything when driving. Sometimes devices, food, or even things on the side of the road can distract people from driving safely. I want my family to be safe and my “Distracted Driving Family Plan” helps them to do so. Keeping devices away and being prepared for the drive will help ensure their safety to not become distracted. In order to remember to do these things, we as a family should keep each other accountable as well as ourselves. According to TeenSafe, distracted driving is responsible for more than 58% of all teen crashes. My plan will ensure me or my brother aren’t a part of this statistic and can make sure my whole family is safe and sound.

Driving is a very attentive task and when someones eyes are directed off the road for one second, that is the timetable for disaster. When driving, there are countless cars on the road and although it may not seem like it, cars are dangerous weapons. They have the ability to injure or even kill someone instantly with their speed and size. According to the CDC Injury Center, approximately 9 people are killed and more than 1,000 are injured in crashes that are reported to have a distracted driver. In order to keep my family safe, my “Distracted Family Driving Plan” consists of keeping all devices out of reach, being prepared for the planned journey, and keeping each other accountable.

Driving in the passenger seat of a car allows little control of the vehicle on the road. This means that as a driver, it is important to be responsible to take responsibility and stay focused which is something I have a bad experience with. One day, I sat in the passenger seat of a car and while driving on the road, the driver decided to check their phone for who knows what. I kindly suggested they put their phone down. They didn’t put it down and when the car in front of us came to an abrupt stop, the driver didn’t see it. Luckily, they were able to slam the breaks in time before we crashed into the car. After that, I took the phone from the driver and told them they could get it when we arrive at our destination. When the devices are out of reach, it is hard to be distracted while driving. If passengers and drivers keep their phones out of reach, they become safer which is something I want my family to do. When I drive with my parents, I will keep their devices with me and when they are in the passenger seat I will give my device to them. Sometimes, devices are needed to use GPS and navigate and this means prior action needs to be taken when planning a journey. Technology these days can do a lot for those who drive. For drivers who are teens, this technology may not always be the best. Smartphone technology can be good for teen drivers because it allows teens to be able to find where they are going especially with being new to driving. Teens are also very big with social media and sometimes driving doesn’t stop them from getting on social media.

One way this issue can be solved is by setting up GPS before the car is even turned on. If the GPS is turned on, drivers can then listen to the GPS while driving without having to look at their phone at all. This is something I encourage my family highly to do because being prepared can be the deciding factor in whether an accident happens or not. The only way to make sure this plan for my family works is to keep each other accountable. Sometimes it can be hard to remember to keep the devices out of reach and turn on the GPS before driving. It is up to each other to ensure that we are safe and can come home to each other. This can be done by simply sending a quick text reminding them to do these things so when they get in the car again, they remember what they need to do to stay safe. We also need to keep ourselves accountable. This can be done by setting an alarm every time you get out the car to again remind ourselves to put our devices away and set up GPS. Being safe is more important than anything when driving. Sometimes devices, food, or even things on the side of the road can distract people from driving safely. I want my family to be safe and my “Distracted Driving Family Plan” helps them to do so. Keeping devices away and being prepared for the drive will help ensure their safety to not become distracted. In order to remember to do these things, we as a family should keep each other accountable as well as ourselves. According to TeenSafe, distracted driving is responsible for more than 58% of all teen crashes. My plan will ensure me or my brother aren’t a part of this statistic and can make sure my whole family is safe and sound.