Once Buckled in:

We all dream about getting a driver’s license as soon as we turn 16 with the goal of gaining a sense of freedom. Going to the mall, long road trips with friends, and just the overall freedom of knowing you’re growing up. You plan what car you’re going to get and how you’re going to decorate it, with no regard for money or any sense of a budget. Then you turn 16 and maybe you take your G1 test, or maybe not, but how many of us get our full license by the age of 18? Not a lot, not me at least. Is that necessarily a bad thing?

Driving can be a very scary thing. And that fear is a good thing to be aware of. That fear keeps you aware and is the angel on your shoulder that allows you to make informed decisions. No matter how much GTA or Mario Kart you play, or how many Go Karting races you partake in, nothing can prepare you for the 2,600 pounds of steel you are in charge of once you’re on the road. That 2,600 pounds is thirteen times the average weight of an adult, and we all know when it is a battle of man vs car, man never wins. And that is why it is important to know the responsibilities you have once you enter the driver’s seat.

Nearly 1.2 million people die in road traffic crashes each year (World, 2023). And in Canada alone, motor vehicle fatalities have increased by more than 9.5% since 2021 (Canada, 2024). These statistics are way too high, and we need to change that. It is every driver’s responsibility to be equipped with up-to-date driving knowledge and etiquette upon receiving their license. You would not want a doctor who hasn’t gone through years of medical school to operate on you, so it is only appropriate you also have the right knowledge as a driver. Whether you are a doctor or a driver, both parties have the power to manipulate life and death.

So how do we actually reduce the number of deaths related to driving?

Step 1: Do not operate a vehicle if you do not have your license, it is not fun nor cool to drive as a minor just because you have access to your parent’s car keys

Step 2: Do not operate a vehicle if you are not in an emotionally safe space, speeding because you are angry is not cool. Not checking your blind spots because you had a bad day is not okay. Driving slowly on the highway because you’re sad is not acceptable.

Step 3: Pay attention to the weather, is it raining heavily? Snowing? Is it foggy and you can’t see? Is it super bright and you don’t have your sun visor adjusted? Be aware and adapt to your surroundings.

Step 4: Driving under the influence is MADD! You not only put your own life in danger but the lives of many other people that you share the road with.

We are sick of unsafe drivers, so let’s get rid of the MUCUS!

M– Minors do not drive

U– Unchecked emotions do not drive

C– Changes in mother nature should not depict how safely you drive. Be prepared for changes in the weather conditions

US– Under the influence of substances is a big NO, if you plan to drink make sure you have a way of getting from point A to point B (Designated Driver, Uber, Friend/Family, etc.). If you can hardly walk when you get high, you most definitely will not be able to and should not drive.

I have seen more than I needed car accidents in my life. I was in a car accident when I was younger. It was a rainy day, and the bus I was on made a really wide turn and ended up flipping to its side and gliding against the slippery road. There were 30 people on that bus.

When I was younger, I remember sitting and looking out onto the streets. As if I were watching a scary documentary I then saw the mother of a friend of mine get launched into the air by a speeding car. She just trying to cross the road.

When I’m behind the wheel my safety steps include no texting, no speeding (especially in residential areas, checking on the needs of my car (do I have working brakes?), routinely checking blindspots, and being aware of my surroundings.

If I’m in the Driver’s Seat it is my duty to make sure I get home safe and allow others to do the same.