Down The Street

My dad likes to run barefoot on the weekends. He says it grounds him and makes him feel closer to God, that nothing rivals the rhythmic pound of his feet against concrete with the drum of his heart. The shade of tall trees and the light breeze that wafts over from the water make Stumpy Lake an amazing place to run during the summer. There was one particular run last summer that my family and I will never forget.

Like any other Saturday morning, my dad had gotten up early, checked the weather, and left for a run around 10. When he left, he was wearing his black and neon shirt, some shorts with reflective seams, and his bare feet. To get to Stumpy Lake on foot, he cut through the neighborhood until he had to cross Elbow road, which is a small two-way street that connects the backside of all of the neighborhoods. There are no crosswalks or stop signs on that street, but it is the law to yield to pedestrians. One woman begged to differ, as she was driving distractedly on her phone, and proceeded to hit my dad head on with her car.

Luckily, my dad survived with a sore back and scraped knees to show for his adventure that morning, as he arrived home in an ambulance. I recall his reenactment, the frantic wave of his arms as his body began to curl up in what he anticipated to come. To this day, my family and I are extremely grateful that that woman’s actions did not cost our family anguish.

This event was the result of the driver’s irresponsibility and lack of accountability. Even though my dad made it out on the other side, he did not press charges against the woman. He said that this instance was a hands-on learning moment to the driver, the value of a life and the effect it could have on someone’s family.

It should not take the risk of someone’s life to educate themself on the importance of safe driving. Driver’s education classes in Virginia are often offered to students in their sophomore year of high school. Even if the student does not have the intention to drive soon after taking the class, the program is still educational to the standard that students are expected to follow this simple rule: see something, say something. According to the DMV’s Virginia Traffic Crash Facts of 2022, 17% of car crashes are the result of distracted driving. Whether it be a friend, family member, or the student themself, they are properly educated and reminded every day of class that the unrestricted distance they travel while being distracted could cost lives, money, and trouble with the law. Driver’s education is vital to give perspective on a surface level of what can happen to the driver or the people around them when they see something, but not say anything.

Another level of driver education in Virginia, is the requirement to take a behind-the-wheel class. The student, after accumulating 45 hours of daytime and night time driving, is required to take a one on one training course with a driving instructor; if they are under the age of 18 and wish to get their license in Virginia. In this instance, the law requirement to drive with an adult for a controlled amount of hours invokes a sense of responsibility in the student. Driving is no small feat, especially when entrusting a minor to operate a large vehicle that can hold about 5 people on average! Not only is the behind-the-wheel course extremely informative, it gives essential pointers on hand placement, mirror checking, and when a driver is overcorrecting their mistakes. Along with that, students who take the time to get one on one training with another experienced driver are getting important hands-on learning that they would not have received anywhere else. Driver’s education, inside and outside of the classroom, can make a huge impact on a student’s driving skills.

Besides the textbook way of driving safely, there are many ways to promote safe driving and safe travel for those who do not operate a motor vehicle on a daily basis. For pedestrians, similar to my dad, they should wear reflective materials at any time of day so driver’s can easily identify them. If they do not have access to such clothing, bicycles that have reflective wheels, attaching a brightly colored scarf to clothing, or even carrying a light stick could prevent future pedestrian crashes. For drivers, it is their responsibility to be aware of their surroundings and be respectful of the law. To prevent future distracted driving, before leaving the location driver’s should: fix the air conditioning and radio to their liking, ensure their phone is on silent and out of reach, and ensure that all passengers have their seatbelts on. Safe driving is not about being a good driver, safe driving is about being aware of surroundings in order to protect those who are traveling alongside the driver.

My dad survived his head on collision with an irresponsible driver who walked free. The lesson she learned is that life is invaluable, and that there is no replacing it, but it should not have taken her to risk an innocent person’s life to realize that. Driver’s education programs bring awareness to safe driving habits, state law, and important lessons with a trained and experienced driver. Safe driving is a choice that should be chosen every time, and remember if you see something, say something.