When driving, take mental distractions seriously

By Mallory Goeke

I’ve worked at KDOT for more than seven years. I help create social media content and graphics to encourage travelers to drive safely. I also try to remind my own family members to put the phone down, because distractions while driving are dangerous.

When thinking about distracted driving, the first things I think of are texting or using social media, chatting with passengers, eating, putting on make-up, etc.

None of those things contributed to my crash last October.

I had a million things to do. I had just finished a round of physical therapy, and my mom was coming to visit later that evening. It was my little sister’s birthday weekend, and there was a delivery truck down the street with flashing lights. I reminded myself that I needed to give the truck room when I passed.

While I made that mental note, I didn’t even process what happened next - until it was too late.

I had driven on that same street nearly every day for more than six years. I must have stopped at the same stop sign thousands of times.

But on that day, I was so lost in thought that what I needed to do at the stop sign didn’t even register in my head.

I can still see the flash of maroon as another car slammed into my vehicle on the driver’s side. I can still feel the way my van spun out of control. The sounds of metal crunching, the blur of color and the smell of smoke still haunt me.

I looked up and realized I was hit so hard that I had ended up in someone else’s yard. My van was destroyed. The front end and driver’s side were smashed in, broken glass was everywhere.

It was my first car crash where I was driving, and it was completely my fault.

Thankfully, the other driver and I didn’t suffer any long-lasting physical injuries. But I still recoil when I ride past that stop sign.

I was reminded that driving distracted can involve a lot of things. When you are behind the wheel of a vehicle, you have many jobs – to pay attention, process what is going on around you, follow all traffic signs and react when needed.

With all the distractions we face, it can be easy to check out. But if you find there is too much going on in your head, take a moment and find a safe place to park. Collect your thoughts and refocus before continuing to drive.

Ditch the distractions and drive alert.

Mallory Goeke is a Communications Specialist in KDOT’s Division of Communications.