Fake Car Crash, Real Driving Implications: A Journey of Awareness and Action

Sirens blaring and shattered windows surrounded my best friends and I in the high school parking lot – a scene organized for a mock car crash aimed at raising awareness about driving under the influence the week before prom. Throughout high school, I was the friend who always hitched a ride with other friends due to not having a car. My family couldn’t afford one, and so I didn’t ever experience much first-hand driving. When my counselor asked me to take on a leadership role in our school’s “Youth Driven” program, I didn’t think I would have much passion for driving awareness due to my lack of experience and knowledge. Regardless, I decided it would be a good leadership opportunity. I became the organizer and learned about this program, a traffic safety and leadership initiative partnered with law enforcement to address driving risks among Rhode Island students.

Researching the heartbreaking statistics of impaired driving among teens at our meetings deepened our purpose to prioritize awareness, especially with prom approaching for juniors and seniors. We decided on staging a mock car crash involving law enforcement and student actors, ourselves, to illustrate the consequences. Now, this wasn’t a real crash, but being an actor in the mock crash was a surprising wake-up call of the severe reality of a crash. It was a scary experience and having my best friends alongside me as the “deceased crash victims” represented a terrifying reality of car accidents in a way I never anticipated.

Many humans, my past self included, do not realize the severity of reckless driving or how many people it affects. Coordinating and participating in this stimulation exposed me to the importance of safe driving practices. It became clear that education and awareness are pivotal in preventing unnecessary fatalities on the road. Reflecting on my own role. I resolved to advocate actively for safe driving habits among my friends and family. There are many simple steps we can take to promote safe driving in our lives and the lives of others!

Firstly, speak up. Although it can feel uncomfortable to speak up when a friend or family member is driving irresponsibly, it is imperative. Since being in this program, I made it a point to be more aware of my friends’ driving and make sure to speak up when I felt unsafe, despite the discomfort it sometimes caused. This proactive approach, however uncomfortable, could potentially save lives – a realization that guided my actions then and now. When you are in the car with someone who is speeding, on their phone, or under the influence, be direct, tell them what is making you nervous, and ask them to stop. This is a situation that every person will be in at least once in their life, and it is okay and important to speak up when in it.

Secondly, in regards to students in college and high school, starting a driving awareness program at one’s school could raise awareness. Even small acts of awareness such as writing statistics in chalk on the sidewalks, an effort my aforementioned club made, can make a big difference! I am currently in the process of trying to start a club like this at my own University to help educate peers.

Thirdly, take initiative to be a safe driver yourself. Since then, I recently saved up and have purchased my own car, and am now contributing to safety on the roads. Although it may seem simple, one of the biggest things we can do as drivers is make sure we are following the road rules as well as not avoiding distractions. These seemingly small actions contribute significantly to the safety of myself and others on the road, keeping me vigilant and prepared to react to unsafe driving around me.

Now a college sophomore majoring in Human Development – a mixture of psychology and neuroscience– I have delved into the factors driving humans’ impulsivity, particularly adolescents and young adults. This plays a huge role in their driving tendencies, and results in distracted driving, impaired driving, and reckless impulses such as speeding or racing. This has provided a deepened, scientific explanation for the actions of reckless driving, and emphasizes the importance of awareness among young adults.

As a young adult myself, I have found the best approaches to promote safe driving practices among these age groups to be incentivized and not severely disciplinal. Some possible policy implementations such as incentivized driving safety courses could potentially reduce accidents. For example, a course in driving safety awareness that could slightly lower car insurance or a course that could be offered to high school and college students for academic credits upon completion.

As for adults, ongoing driver education is equally as important. It is easy to underestimate one’s driving ability over time, leading to risky behaviors that increase accident risks. However, this is how accidents occur. Encouraging accountability and setting positive examples are key ways that adults can promote safer driving habits for themselves and those around them.

In essence, my journey from organizing a mock crash to pursuing studies in human development has shown me the importance of fostering safer roads through education, awareness, and personal responsibility. By empowering individuals with knowledge and encouraging proactive behaviors, we can collectively reduce the devastating impact of reckless driving on our communities.