Driving Isn’t Like Mario Kart

Mario Kart has been a family favorite since I can remember; cousins and parents would gather around the TV and fight over the two controllers. We drew brackets in double elimination style; winners would play winners, and losers would play losers. However, a loss in driving has consequences unimaginable and incomparable to that of a video game, and in the real world, many times, there is no second chance.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a study that there were an estimated 42,915 fatalities from motor vehicle crashes in 2021, 2,600 of them being teenagers ages 13-18. According to the NHTSA, many different causes result in teen crashes, such as distracted driving, inexperience, speeding, aggressive driving, and driving impaired. These causes along with not wearing seatbelts contribute to a large number of fatalities. In addition, when you drive you not only have to trust yourself, but others around you. Even if I obey all the rules and drive safely, someone else may not. With all these risk factors, who would want to drive?

When I first learned how to drive, I was nervous and passive. Driver’s Education instilled confidence and a comfort level in me that I could rely on in many different situations. Also, Driver’s Education is important because it teaches aspiring drivers of all ages the significance of knowing and following traffic laws, keeping a calm manner, patience, and alertness while driving. What I found most helpful was that the instructors explained what to do in different situations, such as roundabouts, flashing stop lights, four-way stops, and oncoming emergency vehicles. They also stress the importance of wearing a seatbelt, following the speed limit, keeping eyes on the road at all times, and never driving while under the influence. In my State, it is required to take a driver’s education course before one can get their license. I believe Driver’s Education should be required in every State. An additional step that could be taken is implementing driving seminars every year in high school to reinforce the importance of safe driving.

My father was the one who taught me how to drive. He always stressed the importance of being a safe driver; never being in a rush, fully stopping at every stop sign, following the speed limit, using blinkers (his biggest pet peeve), and never being distracted. He always said a good driver is not only one who doesn’t get into accidents, it’s one who avoids them as well. Also, he always wanted me to pay attention to everything around me, you can’t just look in front of you. Everyone else affects you being a safe driver; other drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and even animals. When going through intersections, I always look both ways before proceeding forward, even if the light is green; because you don’t always know what the other drivers are doing. Whenever I am behind the wheel, I always strive to be that safe driver.

I am proud to say that I have never been in a car accident, and I hope to never be in one. However, unfortunately, my grandfather constantly reminds me of two very painful stories about car accidents that have affected his life. I can recall the pain in my grandfather’s voice when he would talk about his brother who was killed in a car accident; he fell asleep at the wheel. In addition, his daughter (my aunt) nearly lost her life in a significant car accident due to reckless driving by someone else. She was not wearing a seatbelt, went through the front windshield, and nearly lost her life. I can’t imagine what my grandfather went through, and I understand why my father constantly reminds me to be safe.

Although I take steps to be a safe driver, there are things that I can and will do better. A few weeks ago my tire pressure light turned on, and after calling a few people we chalked it up to the cold weather. I asked my dad to meet me at a gas station so we could refill my tires, and it was a good thing I did. My dad did a visual check on my car and noticed a nail in my completely flat tire. I drove 20 miles with that tire because I didn’t know better, but I do now. After this incident, I truly understand the importance of doing visual checks before I drive and will always do so before driving.

Driver’s education, my dad, and my own experiences have taught me what it means to be a safe driver. When driving my siblings, I take driving safety very seriously because their lives are in my hands; I hope that my safe driving habits will stick with them. But until they are ready to take on the road, I will continue to play them in Mario Kart.