In the Driver’s Seat

Being a driver is a risk almost all of us make daily. Not knowing whether or not we are going to come back home is something that doesn’t cross most people’s minds. That is until their loved one is one of 3,700 people that don’t come home every day because of a fatal car crash. Total deaths from vehicle crashes had been on the decline until around 2020 where it spiked. How do we stop it? It seems to be a looming question no one quite knows the answer to. Reckless driving is not only putting your life at risk, but everyone else’s around you on the road. As someone who has been involved in a crash and had loved ones almost not make I have asked myself this question a lot.

Driver education plays a crucial role in reducing the number of deaths resulting from driving by instilling knowledge, skills, and attitudes that contribute to safer driving practices. You gain knowledge of traffic laws and get practice on how to use and follow them. They are able to gain an understanding of road hazards and how to anticipate and respond to them effectively. It also promotes safe driving practices such as: not being on your phone, maintaining proper following distance, using signals correctly, not driving while under the influence, and obeying speed limits. All of which result in major accidents if not followed or carried out properly. It also helps drivers practice how to stay calm in different scenarios. Lastly, and I think the most important, it teaches defensive driving. Teaching individuals to be more aware of their surroundings and proactive in avoiding potential accidents caused by other drivers’ errors or unforeseen circumstances.

Earlier this year, my best friends got into a severe car accident on their way to prom. I was unaware of the accident as I was in another car and had arrived at the dance a little before them. During the dance our principle stopped the music to tell us there had been a bad crash on Main Street and that we would need to take another way home. I started calling my friends that had not arrived yet and quickly realized it was my best friends that were in the accident. The weather had been horrible that day, turning into a blizzard and covering the roads in snow. As they drove to our prom venue they got into the center turning lane behind a truck. As the truck in front of them turned, trying to shoot a gap, an oncoming car, going way too fast, clipped the back of their truck and collided head on with my friend’s car which was completely stopped. Their car was completely totaled. It was so crushed that the first responders had to cut them out of the car. All four of them were rushed to the ER. All four of them broke their backs, each of them suffering many other injuries: concussion, broken collarbone, whiplash, broken ribs, severe bruising and lacerations. One of the girls in the car completely shattered her back, and we weren’t sure if she was going to make it. Even if she did, the chances of her walking were slim to known. That night was a rollercoaster of emotions. As I waited in the ER until almost 4 am I thought about how all it took was 10 seconds and so many lives were changed. So many lives could have been lost had they been going any faster. All my friends were able to make a full recovery after hours and hours of intensive care. And miraculously the girl survived, and is walking and running again. It was a long and hard recovery but against all odds she back to living her life with few long-lasting effects. Even though all physical injuries are healed, the trauma of the effect still haunts them, along with all their loved ones, myself included.

Being in the driver’s seat comes with a lot of responsibilities that most people don’t think about. I have not always been the safest driver, I think we can all relate, we aren’t perfect beings. However, taking the step to think about all the souls on the road, and how each and every one of the are living a life of their own, has helped me to be kinder on the road and be more cautious while driving. I think all of us could think a little more like that. Is speeding really going to be that beneficial? Do I really need to respond to that text right now? Am I emotionally/mentally/physically fit to be driving right now? If the answer is no, or even maybe, please don’t drive. Being in the driver’s seat isn’t worth endangering others. Drive responsibly.