A key measure is to not text while driving. Andrew Murray, the youngest NASCAR driver ever, has teamed up with his racing sponsor, Mercury Insurance, to raise awareness on the life-threatening risk of texting while driving.
Murray has been driving on race tracks since he was just 5 years old. Now 15, Murray is the youngest NASCAR driver and knows a thing or two about driving with safety in mind.
Race car drivers use a five point harness with two belts on the lap, two belts across the shoulders, and a crutch strap all of which plugs in and is so tight that the driver will not move. There is more. They use a custom made seat that conforms the driver’s body, a three layer fire retardant suit, shoes and gloves. There is still more. They wear a completely enclosed safety helmet with a device which clips on to the helmet and holds the drivers' neck still to avoid whip lash.
Murray said in a phone interview that taking safety measures prevents injury and death. “We always keep safety measures in mind because we know that any accident is a very rough one,” said Murray.
On the roads, teens need to be focused on driving. This may be one of the best driving safety measures to take. “Thousands and thousands of teens each year alone die because of this problem … we really want to try and limit that,” said Murray.
In the U.S each state has a different cellphone and driving law. A majority, 34 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam have laws which ban text messaging for drivers. A minority, nine states, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands have laws which prohibit all drivers from using hand-held cell phones while driving.
California, where Murray lives, has a law that no one can use a cell phone while driving. Adults can use a hands-free phone but drivers 18 years old and younger may not.
Despite the number of people who have died in accidents related to texting and driving as well as the laws which forbid cell phone use while driving, Murray said that 86 percent of California teens admitted to texting while driving.
One of the ways Murray and Mercury came up with to stop teens from texting and driving is the Don’t Text and Drive Pledge.
Youngest NASCAR Driver
As a child Murray told his parents that he wanted to be a race car driver. His parents supported young Murray in his quest to race.
For young people who have a passion to do something and goals to reach, Murray says, “Just do not be afraid to give it your all because nine out of 10 times that is what it will take. No matter what kind of bumps you go through on the way, you just go through those bumps head on and you will make it through. And when you do it will all work out.”
Murray said that listening to others and life-long learning are key to winning races or achieving any goal. “Never be afraid to take advice from anyone because any advice is worth something. One thing is that you never, never stop learning, take knowledge into mind, and have to try to apply it to the race track so that you can be good and you can win races,” said Murray.
