Heidi Williams

In order to hide their phone from other people, they will lower their hand and place it near the steering wheel. At night, people sometimes lower their brightness just so others can’t tell whether they are really on it or not. Even though people have come up with many different ways to text and drive, the fact that there are different ways is just depressing.

It’s at every stoplight that I see a driver on their phone. It seems almost essential for them. Whether the phone is set between the drivers legs or being held up by a phone holder, the small device always catches their attention. I don’t think I’ve ever pulled up next to someone at a light and they are not on their phone. The problem is real and it’s happening right in front of everyone’s eyes.

Whether it’s not going when the light is green, leaving big gaps between the two cars, or even worse, causing an accident, I hate to see that it’s all caused by one thing, phones. I can’t count how many times I’ve passed someone and see that the reason they were driving the way  they were was because they were distracted. I don’t think many people realize how dangerous distracted driving is. Almost everyone does it, so why would it be such a big problem? 

Not paying attention on the road is dangerous in many ways but, especially since while riding a motorcycle me and my friends aren’t protected by seatbelts, airbags, and just anything on the outside. I would open up my phone every few days just to find out that someone I knew had gotten in an accident, and it wouldn’t be their fault. My friends would come out of hospitals with multiple broken bones, third degree burns and road rash, while the driver would leave the scene without a scratch. It breaks my heart every time??? because these accidents are so common. This problem is major and more people need to stop it from happening.

Even though the state declares it to be illegal to text and drive, almost everyone you know does it. It’s disappointing to say the least. Many people find it almost to be a routine and these people have no idea what they could potentially be causing. 

For me, it only recently became a huge problem. Being in a car versus being on a motorcycle is such a huge difference. In the car, you feel almost invincible, which is why I think so many people are on their phones. When you’re riding a motorcycle, you feel the exact opposite. Your situational awareness gets turned up a notch. There are new things that you need to look out for, and since most people driving normally have a hard time seeing someone on a bike, being on their phone makes it so much worse. I can’t tell you the amount of times someone has slowly merged into my lane even though I’m right next to them. Everyone knows not to stay in someone’s blind spot, but it’s even worse when I could be making eye contact with the other driver and they still don’t notice me. 

Although most motorcyclists have devices that mount their phone to their handlebars, they’re mostly never seen on it. The phone is really only used for directions. Helmet Bluetooth system allows the rider to change music or call someone without having to touch or even look down at their phone. If motorcyclists can do this, why can’t people who drive do the same? Many phones and vehicles have voice activated recognition built in, so you can just ask  to call or text someone without having to pick up the phone.

Though I know that there is probably no possible way to get everyone to stop using their phones, I think just bringing up the issue will hopefully convince some to stop.