What Happens If You Slow Down and Avoid Distraction?

Last week I had the pleasure of appearing in Juvenile Court in Alexandria, Virginia with

my 16-year-old son Sam and 30 other 16-year-olds and their mom or dad. We were

there for the driver’s license presentation ceremony. Sam actually earned his driver’s

license several months ago and has been driving legally with a paper permit. But our

state requires you to appear in court to receive the official license from a judge.

The judge was very pleasant and reassured the new drivers that today is a happy day

and that no harm would come to them in this courtroom…today. However, in a speech

that was both uplifting and cautionary, she said this: “You’re excited at the prospect of

being able to drive around without mom or dad in the car. And mom and dad are also

excited at the prospect of not having to drive you wherever you want to go. But this new

license confers a big responsibility too. It’s not a right; it’s a privilege that is earned and

can easily be taken away from you. There are really only two messages I want to

convey to you as you begin this new period of freedom in your lives: slow down and

avoid distraction. Young drivers get into accidents because they drive too fast and can’t

handle the car when something unexpected happens; or, they get into accidents

because they are distracted by other passengers in the car, by texting, or talking on

their phone. So, slow down and avoid distraction.”

I tried to follow the judge’s advice – slow down and avoid distraction – as I drove into

work today. Instead of “pushing it” and exceeding the speed limit to get ahead of the

next guy, I stayed within 5 mph of the posted speed limit and kept mostly to the two right

travel lanes on the highway. I observed several things when I did this. First, I noticed a

lot more front bumpers and headlights very close to me in my rearview mirror. Second, I

saw a lot more cars passing me. Third, I arrived at the office in about the same amount

of time as if I had been “pushing it” as I often do. Finally, I felt more relaxed behind the

wheel.

What else might happen in our lives and in the world if we slow down and avoid

distraction? Would we increase our chances of actually experiencing the meaning of the

holiday we intend to celebrate at this time of year? Would we spend more time actually

visiting with family and friends instead of rushing about in shopping malls looking to buy

something to express to our family and friends how we feel about them? What do you

think? What happens if we follow the judge’s advice? What happens if you slow down

and avoid distraction?