Risky driving

Driving has a very intense meaning to me as an American. Being a student driver and working hard to receive a license was a rite of passage to young adulthood. It signified freedom. As a child I watched movies such as “Cars,” “Transformers,” and “The Fast and Furious.” Those imprinted on me the significance of cars in our society today. But in all this there was a missing element. Where was the risk? Where were the deaths? Those risks came home to me in terrifyingly tangible way September 2022. Now I am motivated to spread the word about the risks to my peers, my kids, and everyone else.

My driving education was very thorough, but I never took Drivers Ed. My parents made sure of that. They taught me the basics like steering and braking gently. They took me out in the snow to learn the limits of traction. I am very thankful for their hard work. Still, I had no real Idea of the Great consequences of driving. But my friend’s parents, however, did not endeavor to prepare their kids. My friends thought driving fast was a way to be cool and show off to girls. They did reckless things on the backroads and bragged about it afterwards. They would wreck cars and laugh. I was always quiet under peer pressure. I knew I would never do those things myself, but I did not risk the humiliation of speaking against such activity.

One evening the nebulous warnings of my parents came to fruition. My three best friends were going to scout a football game in the next town between two of our opponent teams. I had every intention of accompanying them until my parents called me and reminded me of my unfinished yard chores. Grumbling, mostly internally and a smidge audibly, I got in my car and drove home.

I had finished mowing the lawn and walked inside. My mother called me to look at the community Facebook page. “Honey, there’s been a car accident on the highway to Union” I began to feel the dread spreading like a leprosy through my limbs. I hurriedly examined the photo. The mangled car in the photo was my friend’s.

Sick to my stomach, I prayed right there and then. Alternately swearing, praying, and calling their phones I spent the worst evening of my life.

At one o’clock in the morning, I finally got a phone call from my friend’s parents. They sounded worn out and tired, but not sad. They relayed the news. Everyone was alive. My Friends were not gravely injured.

It was raining heavily that day. They had sped up to pass another vehicle and hydroplaned on a puddle. My friend lost control, and they rolled four times in the field. One of my friends was not buckled and held himself, doubled over, into the seat by his own strength! The roof of the vehicle had caved in right where his head would have been. There were moderate concussions all round, one torn ACL, and multiple cuts needing stitches. But they were alive.

Risk is inseparable from life. We take risks crossing the street, going to the store, or walking down a set of stairs. Risk is everywhere. No one likes to think about it, and it is easy to forget. The key to surviving is to be completely conscious and deliberate about how much risk you are willing to take. Risk becomes extremely dangerous when you are not calculating and minimizing your risks. For example, would you rather risk your life to check the new text from your girlfriend while driving? The obvious minimal risk choice is to pull over and giver her your full attention.

What can we do to raise risk awareness? I can throw three large ideas on the table, like a more strenuous driving test, billboards, advertisements, and such. But ideas have already been tried. If we began to increase the technology of car airbags it would help with accidents. But the majority of us cannot go into politics and affect administration change to the DMV or other such bureaucracy. What we need is a culture change.

What can we do to change the culture? Our circle of influence is much nearer at hand. Our responsibility is to our friends and family. Parents, you should be very motivated to provide your children with the best driving education available. Instruct them about calculating risk. It can save their life. Take them to Driver’s ED classes as well as teach them at home. Educate those around you. Your complacency to educate will endanger those around you. If you see your peer checking a text while driving, forgetting their blinker, talk to them about it. They will agree with you once you call it into question. Risky habits sneak in when no one is brave enough to point them out. I kept my mouth clammed shut for fear of risking my reputation and endangered my friend’s lives.

As Americans we love our country, our cars, and our family. Our love should motivate us to educate everyone in calculating risk while driving. Never again will I keep my mouth shut at the expense of everyone that I Love.