CLASSROOM CORNER
OPINION: Set a good example and put your phone in the backseat
On March 25 I got my provisional license and can now drive by myself. That freedom has been great but it also comes with a new challenge. I've lived in Albuquerque all my life, and while I鈥檝e been on the road I鈥檝e noticed a lot of distracted driving. In New Mexico specifically, this is a huge problem as data shows that we are the most distracted drivers in the country, coming in at 41% of drivers engaging in activities which take their attention off the road. Now, I need to make sure I stay focused in a world filled with distractions.
People are constantly reminded not to drive distracted and oftentimes know the danger it poses. Then why do they do it? It is not out of negligence or because they鈥檙e bad people. In today's hyperconnected world, cellphones and societal pressure have normalized instant responses, as addictive platforms engineered by tech companies have people constantly hooked on their phones and their work.
Phones and technology are now an integral part of work life, family life and leisure. Social media and tech companies use psychological techniques to rewire our brain chemistry. Sporadic notifications, satisfying sound and visually appealing platforms draw us into our phone and keep us there. Along with phones and technology, objects on the road, other cars and passengers are also distractions.
The chemical that is activated in our brains by these distractions is called . Dopamine is a neurotransmitter and hormone that is sent through the body when doing something the body deems pleasurable or beneficial for survival. When the brain sends dopamine throughout the body, the compound influences reward and motivation systems, meaning the brain will default to doing activities that release more dopamine.
Tech companies tap into the brain's dopamine system in a technique called variable reinforcement, in which unpredictability is used to hook and habituate people into using their app. Examples of this are the unpredictability of text messages and your social media feed. Because you never know what a new message or social media post will bring, your brain stays motivated to check 鈥� again and again.
People will sometimes look at their phone when they have nothing to do, which is why phones are so dangerous on the road. When you鈥檙e driving, you enter a state of mild fatigue from sustained attention, and the monotony can make it feel like there鈥檚 nothing to do 鈥� leading your attention to drift.
When you drive distracted, you end up not only endangering your children but also setting a negative example.
But how do you stop distracted driving? There are a few solutions, the first of which are setting physical limitations on using your phone. When by yourself, put your phone out of reach in the backseat so you can鈥檛 reach it. This will not only stop you from looking at your phone, but also condition you to ignore notifications when driving. Another solution would be to give your phone to a passenger. If you find that driving without stimulation is too uncomfortable, put on some music or a podcast and then put your phone in the backseat again, the trick is to set it up before you start driving.
Other solutions to distracted driving are more technologically focused. Apps and settings on your phone can be used to lock your phone while driving.
Ultimately, much like smoking, we can only make a dent in this problem when our social norms change. We should be comfortable calling out distracted driving when we see it, and being OK with delayed responses to messages. Your child will soon be where I am 鈥� driving for the first time on their own. Let's work together to make the road safer for everyone.
Liam McKee is a 15-year-old sophomore at Albuquerque Academy.
