The Price of Unsafe Driving

I learned the price of unsafe driving when I was ten years old. On a sunny July day —the day before my Pa’s birthday—his car was struck by a reckless driver on the way to celebrate his birthday with friends at his favorite place: the golf course. The reckless driver ran a stop sign and struck my grandfather’s car head on. My Pa narrowly survived the crash and was airlifted to the closest hospital in critical condition; tragically, a passenger in the other vehicle died shortly after the accident. He suffered numerous injuries, the worst being atlanto-occipital dislocation—also known as internal decapitation. His injury had slim-to-none survival chances, and if he did survive he would likely be paralyzed and unable to golf ever again. Miraculously, Pa not only survived, but avoided paralysis and was able to return to the golf course the following year.

My Pa’s experience not only serves as a source of inspiration for me, but reminds me how crucial it is to be a vigilant and careful driver. Had the driver of the other car simply paid attention to the road and stopped at the stop sign, so much pain and suffering would have been prevented. It is not only crucial that drivers receive an extensive drivers education but that they understand the consequences of unsafe driving. I went through extensive driver’s education from my school before I could get my license, preparing me for real life situations like rural roads, tough parking spots, and dangerous intersections. It is important that this type of education is widespread and not limited to those who can afford an expensive driving course.

To reduce the number of deaths related to driving laws need to be passed that enforce stricter drunk and distracted driving laws, and improvements must be made to infrastructure to improve roads and public transportation. To help prevent the number one cause of car accidents–distracted driving–there must be increased penalties for texting while driving. In Virginia, a first offense for texting while driving carries a fine of just $125, a penalty that is nowhere near severe enough for an offense that could potentially cause a deadly accident. Increasing the amount of sobriety checkpoints and lowering the blood alcohol limit are steps in the right direction to reduce the chances of drunk driving. The risks of drunk driving are far too great to not pass legislation that penalizes drunk driving. Additionally, safer road designs and increased public transportation would cause less chaos on the roads and overall increase driver safety. Things like traffic circles and adaptive traffic signals encourage safe and efficient driving, while public transportation reduces reliance on cars.

Several months ago, I drove on a dark Richmond street and made a terrible driving mistake: I ran a red light. I was carried away in conversation and failed to notice the stoplight and narrowly avoided a collision with two other vehicles in the intersection. While I left unscathed, this experience served as a catalyst for my commitment to safe driving. I was incredibly shaken by this event and I realized just how close I was to a serious car accident. My own Pa nearly lost his life when someone ran a stop sign and the fact that I could have caused a similar accident was difficult for me to come to terms with. Ever since this experience, I have paid greater attention to the road as well as becoming a better passenger. When someone is in the driver’s seat, I make sure not to distract them with something on my phone or anything that takes their attention away from the road. I realize that I am responsible for my car, my safety, the safety of my passengers, and the safety of other drivers and pedestrians.

Driving is a privilege that carries immense responsibility, and the consequences of unsafe driving can be life-altering. My Pa’s accident and my own close-call serve as important reminders that a single moment of inattention or recklessness can change lives forever. Preventing driving-related deaths requires a collective effort—through stronger laws, better infrastructure, and a commitment from each driver to remain focused and cautious on the road. By advocating for stricter penalties for distracted and impaired driving, ensuring widespread access to comprehensive driver’s education, and supporting initiatives to improve road safety, we can work toward a future where fewer families have to experience the pain and loss caused by preventable accidents. Safe driving is not just a personal responsibility but a societal one, and every action taken to promote road safety brings us closer to saving lives.