2025 Admit it to Quit It Scholarship Winners

Essay Topic:

Each applicant will be required to submit a short essay of 500 to 1,000 words admitting to their most common distracted driving habits or what habits they see in friends and family members, and to describe specifically how and why they intend to put an end to those deadly habits or help others put an end to their habits.

Learn more about the Admit it to Quit It Scholarship.

2025 Winner of $1,500 Scholarship: Zoe Peters

Winning Essay by Zoe Peters:

Which is worse? A premeditated murder, or a murder that takes a 5-second decision. Neither, they both take the life of someone’s child. Imagine waking up each day of the rest of your life, consumed in agony and guilt due to your decision to prioritize a simple task, such as applying lipstick or commenting on a social media post, over the life of someone’s child.

Distracted driving affects us all, whether you’ve experienced a personal and direct impact or have experienced the effects from a distance, the irreparable harm caused by distracted driving continues to climb each day. Now, I cannot assert blame without first taking accountability for my role in distracted driving. I can admit it, and you may be able to as well. I find myself too often replying to a quick text message, scrolling through my playlist for the perfect song, as well as eating while driving. I have also been a passenger of several distracted teen drivers. I have several peers who believe they can use their phone in one hand and sip a drink in the other while using their knees to drive with certainty in their ability to multitask. This behavior gives me anxiety, and I often find myself paying closer attention to the road than the driver may be at times. I’m sure if we questioned the 3,275 people who were killed in a motor vehicle crash involving distracted drivers in 2023, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, they would not agree with those drivers’ certainty in their ability to drive with their knees alone.

Distracted driving incidents caused by phone use are far more advertised, however, distracted driving can include a variety of activities. There are 3 main types of distracted driving: visual, manual, and cognitive. Visual distraction is simply taking your eyes off the road. This includes scrolling through social media on your phone or even using the car’s flip-down mirror. Manual distraction is taking your hands off the wheel. This includes using your hands to eat or drink, or simply driving with one hand. Cognitive distraction encompasses any task that is not driving with complete focus on the road in front of you. Not every distracted driving incident is caused by phone use. A driver may be simply driving back to work on their lunch break and trying to manage eating a meal using their hands while driving when they unexpectedly and tragically take someone’s life.

Let’s take a look at the numbers because caution without clear evidence is far less impactful. According to a summary of statistical findings published in April of 2025 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there have been over 30,000 fatal crashes reported since the year 2019, with 39,785 as the highest number of crashes in the year 2021. In 2023, “there were 611 nonoccupants (pedestrians, pedal cyclists, and others) killed in distraction-affected traffic crashes.” Imagine receiving a phone call that a brother or close friend was murdered in a traffic accident while they were simply on an evening walk. Or a concerned neighbor banging at your front door to inform you that they’ve just seen your husband on the news in a stretcher in front of his construction worksite. As easy as it is to simply see these numbers as statistics, each of these numbers represents a person, someone’s child. If the statistic had stated, “There were 611 elders killed in a distraction-affected traffic crash?” What about “children”? At least 30,000 children each year. If the statistic was if the wording of the first statistic wasn’t impactful enough, which one has more of an impact on you? If a death only does not concern you, but the identity of the person killed concerns you more, you are part of the problem. If you are a person who participates in distracted driving, you show that you have little concern for the drivers you share the road with, unless you know their identity. Imagine killing your own sister and newborn child while using your phone to respond to a meaningless text? Or an old professor or mentor? Each number carries its own story. Don’t allow yourself to be one of those 1 out of 30,000 people each year that now carry the weight and irreversible regret of killing another.

As a society, we can implement routine driving behavior in order to prevent distracted driving habits. Habits I strongly recommend to teen drivers include creating a driving playlist and setting the music before shifting from park, setting your phone to Do Not Disturb while your vehicle is in motion, and setting your phone to automatically send a personalized text message to contacts who may call or text. From a larger perspective, in order to raise more awareness of the dangers of distracted driving, I have two possible suggestions. The first, visually impactful billboards that include graphic images of car incidents due to distracted driving and messages of warning, such as “ Which is worse? Premeditated Murder or a 5-second murder? Neither. A life is lost in both situations.” The second is a suggestion for phone companies: implement an automatic page that appears when the vehicle is detected in motion. This page will provide two options: “Do Not Disturb” or “Risk My Life.” These two ideas for raising awareness of the dangers of distracted driving will encourage drivers to think, even if only momentarily, of the possibility that their poor decisions may lead to.

Although some drivers may be quick to simply click the “Risk My Life” option or drive past the graphic billboards, these are opportunities for drivers to have a second chance. A second chance to think about their current behavior. A second chance to decide whether their simple task outweighs their own life or another. A second chance to avoid lifelong regret and/or life-altering injury. Do not allow a 5-second decision to affect you for the rest of your life.

Runners-Up ($250 Scholarships):

Abigail Joseph

Imagine looking at your phone for five seconds. By the time you look back up, you have driven about the length of a football field without looking. Imagine the consequences that could come from that.
Distracted driving is a phenomenon people often overlook in their day-to-day lives, yet it causes significant strife for families and communities. The primary issue with distracted driving is that it is largely preventable. However, I have not been in an accident caused by distraction or been directly affected; distracted driving has still impacted many areas of my life.
Several examples of distracted driving in my life have shaped the way I drive today. The first example has been a lifelong lesson for me. My best friend’s mother, Valentine, was hit by a distracted driver. Although she, her husband, and her children survived the accident, it was not without loss. For nearly 20 years, Valentine has been disabled as a result of the car accident. The driver’s recklessness led to lifelong consequences for her. I have witnessed how people in the community ridicule her, call her names, and choose not to help. To add to it all, I remember that she owned a successful hair salon, but she had to close it because she became reliant on her family after the accident.
The following example is of someone I grew up with named Joggens. Joggens was an aspiring soccer player who often missed church services to play soccer in various states. He even had a whole ride to a university for soccer. When he came home, he and several other members of my church raced their cars recklessly on the highway, hitting each other. A few were concussed, but most managed to escape without injury. This accident did not stop Joggens. Although his car was totaled, he bought another one and continued to drink, speed on the highway, and try to impress a woman in the passenger seat. That car crashed, and he ended up in the hospital. To this day, he remains unable to see out of his right eye.
Lastly, I’d like to speak about someone I grew up with named Stacey. Stacey lived around the corner from my house, was a few years older than me, and was someone I looked up to. One day, long before I knew how to drive, she was driving home while on her phone. It was late at night, and a man, who was not wearing bright clothing, was walking nearby. Simply put, Stacey hit the man, and he passed away. I remember the chatter and the fear that overwhelmed me when I found out because she was almost home, and there was no reason to take out her phone.
That being said, aside from the many memorials for people who lost their lives to distracted driving in my community, it made me a much more cautious driver. I choose to use public transportation whenever possible and avoid driving. Countless distractions can arise while driving, and in a split second, everything can change. My understanding of the broader impact of distracted driving has permanently altered my perspective, behavior, and sense of responsibility to ensure the best outcome for myself and those around me.
I take several precautions to ensure my driving is safe. For example, I set up my GPS, choose my music, adjust my mirrors and seat, and organize easy-to-reach snacks and water before I start driving. This way, I don’t have to fumble around the car to find something because everything is already in place. As for my phone, it automatically switches to ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode when it detects I am driving. This way, although it’s noisy when I’m in other people’s cars, it doesn’t tempt me to check my phone during a ride. Similarly, I also make sure my phone is out of reach. If my phone is connected to the car, I might pick it up. However, if I catch myself losing focus, I make a point to go silent or end the call.
There are many signs on the road, commercials, and accessible reminders for drivers of all ages to stay safe. However, it’s unrealistic to expect everyone to pay attention to all of them. I currently hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology and am pursuing a master’s degree in clinical psychology. I am suggesting a ‘Virtual Passenger’ app that would emulate the voice of a family member or loved one, reminding drivers to stay safe on the road. This reminder would provide real-time feedback by leveraging social accountability and the emotional attachment drivers feel toward the voice of a trusted companion. It could include custom phrases from a significant other, such as ‘My love, eyes on the road, okay?’ spoken periodically throughout the drive. Since the phone tracks location and movement, it could also notify the driver whenever the phone is picked up during a ride or after extended periods of driving. It could suggest breaks or provide ongoing reminders to keep an eye on the road. At the end of the trip, the app can use positive reinforcement to commend the driver for keeping everyone safe.
I am here to make the world a better place. As an aspiring clinical psychologist, I am dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of distracted driving, a cause that I am deeply passionate about. If I can positively impact my community, such as through the proposed Virtual Passenger app, I hope to alleviate the burden that distracted driving places on people.

A’dreona Zigler

Distracted and reckless driving is one of the most dangerous behaviors on the road today. For many, it might just be a bad habit or a careless mistake. But for me, it’s a painful reality that has shaped my life in profound ways. My father died in a car accident before I was born. I never had the chance to know him, to have a father’s guidance or support. That loss has left an emptiness in my life that I feel every day. Because of this, I am determined to do everything I can to stop the people I love — my family and friends — from driving recklessly, especially by speeding and using their phones while behind the wheel.

Speeding is one of the most common risky behaviors I see around me. Whether it’s my family rushing to get somewhere on time or friends eager to reach their destination faster, the temptation to go over the speed limit seems to be accepted as normal. But speeding is not harmless. It reduces the time a driver has to react to unexpected situations and increases the force of any potential crash. Every mile per hour over the limit raises the chance of a serious accident. I think about my father’s death often, and I wonder if slower driving could have saved his life. That thought motivates me to remind those around me that speeding isn’t just about breaking a law—it’s about risking lives.

Using phones while driving is another dangerous habit I see regularly. It’s become so common that many drivers don’t even realize how much their attention is divided. Checking texts, scrolling through social media, or changing music might seem quick and harmless, but even a few seconds of distraction can lead to disaster. I’ve witnessed friends and family do it multiple times, and each time, I feel a knot in my stomach. When I’m in the car with them, I don’t hesitate to ask them to put their phones away. It may make the ride less convenient, but it could save their life—or someone else’s.

I’m not trying to preach or lecture; I don’t see myself as an activist or spokesperson. I’m just someone who has experienced loss and wants to protect the people I care about. I want to stop reckless driving in my own circle, even if it’s one person at a time. If I can get my cousin to stop speeding or convince a friend to keep their phone out of reach while driving, that feels like a victory. I speak up because I know the pain of losing a father to a car crash. I don’t want anyone else to go through that kind of heartbreak.

It’s not always easy. Sometimes people get annoyed or defensive when I bring it up. Some say I’m overreacting or making a big deal out of nothing. But I’ve learned that staying silent is not an option. I’d rather be uncomfortable for a moment than numb with grief for a lifetime. The truth is, every time someone chooses to drive distracted or speed, they’re taking a risk with their life and the lives of everyone around them.

My father’s death shaped my understanding of how precious and fragile life is. I never got to hear his voice or have him at my side. That absence is a reminder that reckless driving has consequences beyond what most people realize. It’s not just about fines or getting pulled over—it’s about the families who never get to be whole again.

That’s why I take responsibility seriously when I’m behind the wheel and why I try to hold others accountable too. If I see a family member speeding or texting while driving, I say something. I don’t want to be the person who looked away or stayed quiet. Sometimes, it’s as simple as asking them to slow down or put their phone down. Other times, it’s sharing my story and explaining why I care so much. I want them to know that every choice they make on the road has weight.

I also try to lead by example. I never use my phone while driving, and I follow speed limits carefully. I want my family and friends to see that it’s possible to be safe and responsible without feeling like they’re missing out or wasting time. Safety doesn’t have to mean inconvenience—it means life.

In the end, my mission isn’t about judgment or control. It’s about love. It’s about making sure that the people I care about don’t become victims of the same careless decisions that took my father from me. Losing him before I even knew him left me with a deep sense of loss and a strong desire to protect others from that pain. Every time I speak up, every time I remind someone to drive safely, I’m honoring his memory and fighting to prevent future tragedies.

No one should have to live without someone they love because of distracted or reckless driving. If my voice can help keep even one person safe, then the pain I carry has a purpose. And that purpose is what drives me to keep trying—every day, every time I see a family member or friend get behind the wheel.

Zaniya Gibbs

Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous habits on the road today, especially in teens and young adults. Too often, we hear news stories and reports of accidents caused by drivers who were texting, taking a phone call, or just not paying full attention to the road or their surroundings. It’s easy to think, “That won’t happen to me,’’ but the truth is, even a few seconds of distraction can change everything, just like that.
Distracted driving has significantly impacted my life in ways I’ve never expected, even though it wasn’t me who was behind the wheel. Although I’m not an active driver I’ve witnessed habits that have gotten people I know and just other drivers that have had accidents because they weren’t focused on the road ahead of them. An experience I’ve had with distracted driving was when I was about 14 years old at an intersection with my mom a distracted driver who was on their phone ran a red light, which caused an accident. A man and his daughter were hit from the side by this young female, thankfully no one was injured. Although it wasn’t myself experiencing this accident, witnessing the man rush to the backseat to remove his daughter from the car just made my heart drop because even though you may not directly experience an event like someone else, seeing it first-hand can change your perspective. Just from this experience alone I took it upon myself to learn more about distracted driving.
From witnessing distracted driving, it has impacted how I interact with whoever is behind the wheel of a car either my parents, siblings, friends or teammates. This has heightened my awareness of my surroundings on the road and in the car. Every time I’m in the passenger seat or behind the wheel myself I notice drivers and the passengers on their phones or not paying attention to light changes, taking their focus off the road. Whenever I see my family members on their phone even at a red light I tell them to pay attention to the road and put their phone down or that I’ll answer the text message or phone call so that the driver’s full attention is on the road and that everyone within the vehicle is safe, even though they may not be safe from other drivers.
One of the best ways to prevent distracted driving and raise awareness is through personal experience and real-life testimonies. Since young drivers are so attached to their phones, hearing from individuals who were once their age and went through this situation would be a good learning experience. By hearing firsthand from people who have been affected by distracted driving or those who have caused accidents can leave a strong emotional impact on someone. This could be done either through schools or drivers education programs offered in and out of school.
Another suggestion would be to have interactive driving simulations that are set to have young drivers make their own decisions as if they are on the road. This would help make the right decisions while driving such keeping all focus on the road ahead and not picking up any cell phone that may be nearby. The simulation would include two situations and it allow you to see the outcome of both for example, if you choose the option of not checking a notification you get a get a green check mark that says you’ve saved a life but if you choose to check the notification it gives you a red cross and shows rear ending a car that was in front of you and injured a person. This will not only help a young driver make the right choice, but it’ll also show them the wrong choice and the consequences of their actions and how it translates to real life.
Since young drivers spend hours of their day on social media (myself included), it can be used as a powerful tool to raise awareness and advocate distracted driving. Although this solution is used on a highly addictive site it’s a great way to reach a broader group of individuals to help promote change. It would also be more engaging and relevant to its target audience, which are young drivers, in the form of reels and short videos, showing the dangers of distracted driving on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. This can be also shared by influencers and celebrities that most young drivers look up to or follow on these platforms.
While it’s important to advocate for awareness, stricter legal consequences can further discourage distracted driving. While many states do enforce fines on texting while driving, the state government and local officials can enhance the consequences of texting while driving by enforcing higher fines or add points to their license. This solution would make drivers think twice about the consequences of picking up their phone while they’re driving. But also, when you think about it no one likes to spend an unnecessary amount of money on something that can go towards personal expenses.
Since phone usage is one of the biggest causes of distracted driving, technology can be used as a solution. One strategy is to put your cell phone on ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode, that way you can prevent any distractions while driving. Now that many phones are able to connect to a car’s Bluetooth system it’s possible to silence incoming notifications especially when a vehicle is in use.
In many ways distracted driving has made me a more cautious and responsible person on and off the road. Although I wish this wasn’t a prevalent issue in today’s world, it’s important to have awareness and adjust in order to make a difference. The impact of distracted driving is real and for me it has been a wake-up call to not take driving for granted because it can be you in an unimaginable situation. It can happen at any time and any place; just don’t let it be you.