I just want to draw the attention of readers to the harmfulness of smoking while driving. Smoking and driving at the same time can be dangerous because a person cannot completely focus on two tasks while driving. People who smoke while driving can become unfocused and they are more likely to get into a car accident. After all, both of the driver’s hands are occupied and smoking could slower the driver’s reflexes.
One thing that any driver should understand is that driving is not an easy task and therefore, requires 100 per cent of the driver’s attention. It is not the time or place for people to multitask, because your life and the lives of other people are on the line.
Suppose at one point you’re driving quickly on the highway, but when you stop to light your cigarette, you accidently let go of the wheel - even for just fraction of a second. Now, what do you think would happen if you fail to regain control of the steering wheel? What if you accidently drop the lit cigarette? It could fall onto your lap and injury you. In that second, you can meet an accident or even hit a pedestrian. Additionally, people who toss their lit cigarettes onto the road add to the risk of injuring someone.
Therefore, I strongly believe that it is extremely harmful to smoke while driving and I urge people to practice safe driving habits.
- This reader is a grade 7 student in Abu Dhabi.
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