Stay Alert, Stay Alive

For many of us, driving is an essential part of our everyday lives. Whether we are traveling to school, on our way to work, or simply going to see friends, driving represents convenience and freedom that enriches our lives. Too often, however, the ease of driving causes drivers to take safety for granted: with the push of a foot, a car can go roaring down the road at a hazardous speed; with the turn of a wrist, a car can veer wildly in any direction; and without a cautious driver managing the many risks of a vehicle, an irreversible tragedy is imminent.

While almost all drivers must pass a knowledge test and a road test, driving education should not stop at the basic minimum. In my short time as an independent driver, I have found common situations have caused more danger than anything else. For example, a number of terrible and fatal accidents have happened due to inattentive drivers texting. While drivers are preoccupied by the buzzing of their phones, their vehicles continue to hurdle forward at full speed. Too often, drivers misjudge the situation around them and collide with other drivers, traffic fixtures, and even pedestrians. Drivers must understand that phones’ functions, especially texting, do not need to occur instantly; if there truly is an urgent matter, a driver should safely exit the road and follow all laws so that they can safely attend to their personal business. While driver education extends far beyond warning about the hazards of texting and driving, it has unfortunately become one of the most widespread phenomena. Too many people take for granted that a message may only take a moment – but a moment is all it takes for a driver to seriously injure or kill others, or even himself/herself.

Reducing driving-related deaths is a difficult task, and many drivers seem to be indifferent even toward the most dire of consequences; after all, almost everyone who engages in risky behavior assumes that nothing bad will ever befall him/her. To reduce driving-related deaths, the federal government may need to begin a broadcasting and educational campaign that reminds the public about the risks of unsafe driving. Any person can become complacent while driving, so it is important to remind drivers of all ages and experience levels that driving deaths can and do occur.

Although I have not personally been in an accident, I was almost struck by a driver while leaving my car. I had just arrived outside my friend Grace’s house in a quiet suburban neighborhood. I parked my car, turned off the engine, and removed the keys from the ignition. As I opened my car door, something in my subconscious immediately alerted me to danger – perhaps it was the dull roar of an approaching car engine or the rapidly growing image I saw in the side mirror – but either way, I barely managed to slam my door back shut as a car sped by just inches from me. In truth, I don’t remember much about the vehicle other than that it was a tan SUV that was blasting music, but I do remember just sitting in terror for a few moments while I processed how close I had been to being struck. Yet, what stuck with me most was when I finally collected myself and told Grace about the incident, she reacted with relatively little concern. At the time I couldn’t believe that my friend wasn’t more empathetic, but then I realized that her attitude was in line with the societal norm: as long as nothing bad happens, it doesn’t matter. That incident still replays in my mind from time to time and I now always check my rearview mirrors and my side mirrors before leaving my car.

We can all become better drivers each day. I think that driving defensively, following traffic laws, and being aware of surroundings and road conditions are all steps that have helped me to improve. In addition, I change my driving according to what I do or do not know about the situation around me: I will slow down in areas where wildlife are known to regularly cross roads; at night or in fog, I will employ my brights when I can do so without hindering oncoming drivers; and finally, I will always yield generous space to emergency vehicles and school buses to ensure that they can properly conduct their work. By being a safe driver in traffic, one can influence other nearby drivers, and despite occasional complaints or honking horns, I rarely hear criticism while I am on the road. A few seconds of caution can prevent terrible disasters and deaths and I always advocate for drivers to operate safely in order to protect themselves, other drivers, non-motorists and wildlife. Driving, while often seen as a comfortable and familiar activity, should never be taken lightly, as we all have a duty to ensure that we are proceeding safely whenever we enter the road.