Name: Darren S
From: Holmen, Wisconsin
Votes: 0
My
brother and I
Safe
driving is constantly brought up in every facet of my life. I read
stories in the newspaper about driving and how there was a giant
crash off US-90, or how drunk-driving caused an entire family to be
killed in a brutal, mass accident. Sometimes it is difficult to put
in perspective just how important being safe on the road is. I
recently received my driver’s license, and everyday I worry about if
I am being safe enough, if I am too tired, if I am too distracted—and
yet people around me do reckless things while driving, such as
texting, FaceTime-ing people, and driving fatigued. It might be
difficult for these people around me to truly understand the
consequences.
To
help me understand, I had a long conversation with my brother Hunter
before he left for Basic Training in the Air Force. He is going to be
fixing planes and making sure that they are safe to use in combat,
emergency situations, transportation of materials, and protection of
people and territories. Before, I had no idea how vital his work was.
I had a perception in my head of a violent army community, and how he
might get hurt someday very badly. However, once I asked him the
truth and allowed myself to listen, process, and empathize,
everything started to make a little more sense.
There
are ways every day that we can keep ourselves safe, especially in
everyday life. My brother is keeping himself safe by working in a
steady community helping people that he cares for, and making sure he
is making good decisions such as preparing for any situation by
seeing his fellow Air Force members as a team, not as acquaintances.
I can better keep myself safe on the road doing something that is
equally if not much more so dangerous, by paying attention, not
texting and driving, staying calm, researching how to operate and
work with my vehicle, and getting enough sleep at night. All these
things are things my brother does, as well, and I believe that once
people make a connection, they are much more bound to understand the
importance of safe driving.
