Getting your first car is something you’ll always remember. My first ride came in on a trailer, the engine didn’t start and it was 41 years old: a 1967 Plymouth Barracuda. When I took the keys in my hand, my dad told me that I now had a responsibility.
The LSU community is all-too familiar with the risks of driving, especially while distracted, it and continues to address the issue. However, of all the safety education offered to the public, none really mention the duty of a driver to understand his or her vehicle.
My dad’s statement to me was my introduction to automotive work and my obligations as a driver. Some students may not have had the in-depth experiences I’ve had, but that’s no excuse. All drivers, young and old, should have a respect for the machine. It’s a simple understanding of the beast and its habitat.
You don’t need to know what the ideal lift of a camshaft is for a 426 Hemi to be a conscientious and alert driver. Instead, knowing when your brakes are weak and which street has prevalent jaywalkers could make all the difference. I believe this acknowledgement would assist in minimizing distracted driver-related accidents.
With technology increasing and creating the illusion that the car is driving you, it’s easy to forget the dangers and responsibilities of getting behind the wheel. Imagine a vehicle as an unloaded handgun sitting idle. It’s nothing more than a few metal components, as is a car parked in your garage.
The pistol becomes dangerous when it gets loaded. Each time you start your engine, your vehicle also becomes “loaded” and a weapon capable of killing. A responsible person handles a gun, loaded or not, diligently and with care. I don’t text while I’m staring down the sights of my .38 Smith and Wesson or go to the firing range after a few beers, nor should you text looking down at your phone in your Honda Civic after leaving the bar.
Distraction.gov, the official U.S. site for distracted driving, found that 11 percent of all drivers younger than 20 involved in fatal crashes were distracted at the time of the crash. This may seem like a small percentage, but it’s this age group that makes up a significant portion of a college community.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2011, 3,331 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver.
The CDC notes three main types of driving distractions. The first is visual, which is taking your eyes off the road. The second is manual and means taking your hands off the wheel. The third is cognitive, or taking your mind off driving.
My old ’67 got sold, but each car that came after was another project and responsibility. An understanding grew with my passion for mechanics. My driving reflects this. Of the two accidents I’ve been in, both involved distracted drivers. One was drinking a soda and the other was changing radio stations. If more drivers had basic knowledge of automobiles rather than the stereo and that the oil eventually needs changing, then traffic injuries and fatalities would decrease. People should get to know their cars.
My hope is that the possibility of injuring or killing yourself and others in a vehicle because of distractions is enough. If this isn’t too persuasive, in Louisiana, not only is it illegal to text and drive, but also it could cost you $175. A first offense DWI will get you at maximum of six months in jail, $1000 in fines plus court and attorney fees, and driving privileges suspended.
Even more frightening, the current Louisiana statute for vehicular homicide states that those charged “shall be fined not less than two thousand dollars … And shall be imprisoned with or without hard labor for not less than five years … At least three years of the sentence of imprisonment shall be imposed without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.”
Mario Andretti, a retired world champion race car driver, said “You’re safer in the race car than you are in cars going to and from the track.”
I couldn’t agree more.
Justin Stafford is a 20-year-old mass communication junior from Walker, La.
Follow him on Twitter @j_w_stafford