My Take on Todays Driving

The statistics on motor vehicle related deaths are scary and extremely sad. That is why I think driver’s education courses should be longer. I would say that the age limit should be raised but I am not naïve to the fact that kids usually start working around sixteen and need to get themselves to work. However, there are things I believe can be done to increase driver safety. In New York State we are only required to finish a five hour course and then as long as we drive with a licensed individual of the proper age for six months we are able to test for our license. I think each month of that six month period you should have to sit for a class, not five hours but some sort of driver’s education class.

I also feel as though every school should have one of the “Crash Scene” demonstrations that I’ve heard about. My high school never had that but in the age of social media I have seen them on TikTok and I truly think they’re so impactful for our youth. The only thing more impactful is experiencing a motor vehicular accident of someone in the school but that is something we never actually want to experience. I work at a restaurant and I remember last year, three kids from a local high school passed away due to a car crash. Girls from that same high school work with me and I will probably never forget how I felt when they told me the story. They hit this one tree that I drive by every day. You can still see the burn and soot marks from the crash cascading up the tree. Also the mailboxes that were taken out in the crash were replaces with mailboxes on singular wooden poles. Since the mailboxes weren’t properly replaced, you know exactly when you’re pulling up by the crash site and even a year later it’s eerie and very sad. Seeing that site makes me think about my driving and not take for granted every day I have that I can safely drive my vehicle.

On the other hand, I also think that the accidents aren’t always caused by the teenagers and that’s why I feel as though once you’re of retirement age and or you’re seventy plus you should have to take a test to retain your license. I understand this makes elderly people feel like they’re losing their freedom but some family members also won’t take away the keys when they need to. There are plenty of motor vehicle accidents caused bit the elderly because they can’t see at night or for numerous other reasons. I am not saying that need to be reevaluated as a mean or malicious thing I just feel once your brain starts to deteriorate things like driving can be overly complicated.

I thankfully have never been severely hurt in a car crash but I have been rear ended. Last year, 2023, in Florida I was on my way to work just like any other day and as I was sitting at a red light and another car crashed into the back of me, followed by another crashing into them. I specially remember looking into my rearview mirror not moments before she hit me. The person behind me was texting on their phone and didn’t see me stopped. She got out and swore up and down she had more time and didn’t know she was so close to me. However I hit my head so hard on the steering wheel I couldn’t focus on anything she said. I was lucky to have only suffered a concussion from this accident but I know many others aren’t as lucky as I am. I feel like texting and driving should holder a bigger weight them it does, everyone says that the points on your license is a big thing but I feel as though many police officers pass by you on your phone and don’t say anything. I also think that our cars are so technologically advanced that the screens basically just another cell phone for us. It’s not as “touch free” as it’s marketed to be”. That’s why I put my phone on driving mode and I make sure not to look at it until I arrive at my destination. I am a defensive driver because I want to be ready for anything that can occur on the road. Everyone should be on defense when they’re driving and watching out for not only themselves but each other.

Therefore I don’t really know how to fix or change the motor vehicle accident statistics but I have some ideas. I would love to see things change in the future but I think until people experience a motor vehicle loss then they just don’t think about it the same way. I truly feel like the crash scene demonstration would be a big eye opener for many.