A New Transition with Driving

Growing up in Maui, HI, driving was not a big part of everyday life for me. When I needed to get around, it was easy to walk, ride the bus, or car pool with my friends. When I did drive, I only traveled around 15 minutes at most – to school and back and occasionally to work. Because of the low population on Maui and the lack of driving necessary, my hometown has a very small amount of car related deaths per year, averaging at around 18 people per year. I did know a friend in middle school, however, whose aunt died tragically in a car accident due to a police squad car hitting her in an unrelated car chase. So, even in Maui, fatal accidents do happen albeit to a lesser extent.

It wasn’t until we moved to California that I really saw how dangerous driving is and can be. When we first arrived, my mother drove us from LAX to Irvine, where my aunt lives, and then from there we drove to our home here in Palm Springs. My Mom did all this within 17 hours. It was the first time that I experienced the 405 as an adult and it was terrifying. My mom was driving a fairly dilapidated Uhaul truck on the 16 lane highway where vehicles were racing past us at 100 miles per hour or more. My mom said she was stepping on the gas at 85mph just to keep up with traffic. Luckily, my exhaustion gave in and I eventually passed out in the back seat but my mom later told me she saw a car hit the median and go up in flames as she whizzed past. Somehow, there was no pile up and it looked like the driver got out before it was too late. However, the smoke and fire was pretty dramatic. Mom had to get to our new home though and she was barreling for our destination hell or highwater.

Many driving accidents and mistakes are caused by ignorance. People do not realize the extent of the risk of certain behaviors such as speeding, ignoring traffic laws, applying makeup and texting while driving. It’s not unusual to see gnarly accidents on the freeway but I wish it were so. Because it is so dangerous, it is important to follow all traffic laws, especially things like buckling up and following speed limits. At least we can control those things because other things, such as in the case of who we cross paths with while driving, can’t be controlled. Drinking and driving used to be the number one cause of motorist death in Hawaii, at least, but that has been eclipsed by drivers who take opioids and then drive. I read this in the Hawaii Herald Tribune a few years ago. Basically, do not take the wheel and find an alternate driver if you are under the influence of any substance. If we could convince people to take that advice seriously, thousands of people could be spared an untimely death each year. I am blessed that no one in my immediate family or extended family has been a victim of car accident mortality. Although I think that it is partially luck, I also think that my parents do try their best to always buckle up, follow speed limits and they definitely do not take risks while driving. I guess the riskiest thing my family does in terms of driving is motorcycle driving. My Dad is very fond of riding his motorcycle, but at least he wears his helmet.

Driver’s Education is so important because it prepares drivers on what to do and how to act in just about any circumstance. The idea of hydroplaning for example, really kind of terrifies me. That’s partly because not only do people hydroplane on wet surfaces but on icy surfaces and we never got ice in Hawaii. I can’t imagine the feeling of skidding out of control on an icy street. Because of Driver’s Ed, I know that the thing to do in that case would be to NOT slam on the breaks (the first thing I would do if I hadn’t read the Driver’s Education manual)but to stay calm and slow down by easing off the gas pedal and lightly pumping the brake pedal if needed. Another thing that is very interesting to me is that you are NOT supposed to use the horn as an emotional sounding board (for example to express displeasure at someone else’s driving). The horn is legally supposed to be used to avoid collisions and to help other drivers stay safe. So many Americans do NOT use their horn in that manner but use it to express personal frustration. Keeping emotions in check and knowing the Driver’s Education manual can keep you and your loved ones safe and keep all drivers informed on the best course of action to take in many circumstances.