About Madison
A senior at Buckhorn High School, Madison is a born leader who is passionate about healthcare and serving her community. Her involvement in multiple extracurricular activities and organizations helped her complete over 100 volunteer hours prior to her high school graduation. Madison will be attending the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) this fall where she plans to pursue a degree in Biomedical Science on the Pharmacy track. Her goal is to become a pharmacist so she can advocate for health equality and uplift underserved communities.
Distracted Driving Essay
We’ve all seen the signs—”Don’t Text and Drive” or “It Can Wait”—but if we’re being honest, how many of us actually think about what those signs really mean? As high school students, most of us are just getting the freedom to drive, and with that freedom comes responsibility. One of the biggest dangers we face behind the wheel is something most of us do every day without even thinking: checking our phones.
Texting and driving might not seem like a big deal at the time—just a quick reply, just a few seconds—but those few seconds can change everything. It only takes one distracted moment to cause a crash that could injure you, your friends, your family, or someone else on the road. And in a growing city like Huntsville, Alabama, where traffic is getting worse and the roads are busier than ever, the risk is even higher.
You’ve probably heard teachers or police officers say that texting while driving is like driving blindfolded for the length of a football field. At first, that sounds dramatic—but it’s actually true. If you’re going 55 miles per hour and look down for five seconds, that’s how far you’ve gone without looking at the road. It’s scary when you really think about it.
And let’s be real: we already have a lot to focus on while driving. Between watching for other cars, reading road signs, avoiding potholes, and dealing with traffic (especially in Huntsville with all the new construction), adding a phone to the mix just makes things worse. Huntsville has grown fast—we’re now the biggest city in Alabama—and with that growth comes more cars, more accidents, and more distractions. This rapid expansion also means that more young drivers like us are hitting the roads, making awareness more important than ever.
Most of us teens think we’re good at multitasking. We do our homework while watching YouTube, eat while scrolling on TikTok, and FaceTime our friends while getting dressed. So it’s easy to think we can text and drive at the same time, too. But driving isn’t like doing homework or picking an outfit—it’s a serious responsibility, and our brains aren’t built to focus on the road and the phone at the same time.
As high schoolers, many of us are new to driving. We’re still learning. We might not have the best reaction time yet, and we haven’t seen all the “what-ifs” out on the road. If something unexpected happens while we’re distracted, we might not have enough time to react—and that could cost us everything.
So how do we fix this? It starts with us—high school students, teachers, parents, and the entire Huntsville community—coming together to send a clear message: texting and driving is not worth the risk.
One of the most effective ways to communicate this message to young drivers is by using peer influence. Teen-to-teen messaging can be way more powerful than hearing it from adults. Students can lead school campaigns, create powerful testimonials, and encourage open conversations about the dangers of distracted driving. Clubs like SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), HOSA, or student government could host assemblies, create social media videos, or even make their own PSA videos.
We also need to hear real stories. When someone shares how texting while driving changed their life—maybe someone who was injured or lost a loved one in an accident—it hits different. It makes it real. Local guest speakers, first responders, or families affected by distracted driving could share their stories in schools or through social media. Seeing the emotional and physical consequences firsthand can be a wake-up call for a lot of us.
Technology can be part of the solution too. Apps like LifeSaver or settings like Apple’s “Do Not Disturb While Driving” mode help remove temptation. Schools and the city of Huntsville could promote these tools and even offer incentives—like discounts or prizes—for students who commit to distraction-free driving. Turning safe driving into a challenge or game makes it more appealing.
Interactive experiences can help students understand the risks on a deeper level. Simulators, VR experiences, or even activities like trying to drive a golf cart while texting could make the danger feel real without actual consequences. These types of events are memorable and get people talking.
Let’s not forget how powerful social media is in our lives. We can turn our favorite platforms into tools for change. Schools could host challenges where students post photos of their phones stored safely while driving, or where they pledge not to use their phones behind the wheel. Hashtags like #EyesUpHuntsville or #NoTextNext could help build a community of safe teen drivers. Even a short TikTok or Instagram Reel could go viral and change someone’s perspective.
Parents and adults in the community also play a big role. If young drivers see adults texting while driving, it sends the message that it’s normal and okay. But when adults model safe driving habits—putting phones away, staying focused—it sets the standard for what we should all be doing. Safe driving should be a shared family value that begins long before we get our license.
As Huntsville continues to grow, the number of cars and traffic accidents will likely increase too. That’s why we need to act now, not later. Schools can strengthen their driver’s ed programs, the city can launch more teen-focused safety campaigns, and local businesses can sponsor events or offer discounts for safe drivers. If everyone plays a part, we can shift the culture. Community events like car shows, parades, or festivals could also include booths that educate young drivers about the risks of texting and driving in a way that’s fun and engaging.
As a high school student, I get it—texting is part of our everyday lives. We use it to stay connected, make plans, and check in with our friends. But when we’re driving, that message can wait. No text is more important than someone’s life—not ours, not anyone else’s.
Let’s start a movement. Let’s make it normal to put our phones away when we’re driving. Let’s look out for each other. And most importantly, let’s remember that we only get one life. One moment of distraction isn’t worth losing it.
So next time you’re driving, do yourself and everyone around you a favor: put the phone down. Eyes on the road. Always.
