Drive, Don’t Die

When you grab your keys to go out for a drive, what do you think of? Is it the freedom of going 60 on the highway, blaring your music, laughing with your friends? Or do you think of the thousands of people who die every year due to car accidents? It is no secret that driving is incredibly dangerous, but not everyone treats it as so. Let’s talk about why driving is so dangerous, steps that can be taken to ensure safer driving, and my own personal experiences with driving.

Growing up, I was never as interested in driving as my peers were. I used to have nightmares about being left alone in the car, and the vehicle would start moving on its own. In my dreams, I would try and grab the wheel, steering and flailing about in an absolute panic, clueless as to how to operate the daunting machine. These night-terrors would usually end up with some sort of horrible outcome. So, with this oddly instilled fear of driving, it was very ironic that I was one of the first in my class to get their permit. Even while learning to drive, I was almost frozen in pure fear. It was pretty easy to say that me and driving had a rough start. When I finally did get my license however, terrified as I was, I quickly learned that lives were in my hands. When you go out on the road, you aren’t just responsible for your well-being, but for everyone around you too. Getting a license is like one giant trust agreement between you and everyone on the road, drive safe.

Part of what retains and teaches driving safety is drivers education. In Illinois, where I live and have grown up, drivers education is required in high school at a certain age. In this class we learn the rules of the road, how to drive, what road signs mean, and proper driving procedures. Then, to be able to obtain our permit, we must pass a test taken while in the class. According to IIHS.org, Illinois only has 10 deaths per every 100,000 people due to motor vehicle accidents. This is significantly less than states like Arkansas (21), Delaware (15), Mississippi (24), Wyoming (23), and many more states. In total, according to the statistic chart on the IIHS website, 38 other states’ death tolls per 100,000 people rank higher than Illinois, and Wisconsin has the same percentage as Illinois. So, it can be pretty easy to see that Illinois’ system for driver safety is fairly effective. These numbers could even be lowered with even more focus on driver education. People need to remember that when you are on the road, anything could go wrong. That is why in my drivers education class, my professor taught me “defensive driving”, a technique to remember additional road safety and to account for the fault of others. I think if defensive driving was given more focus nationwide, we could work to lower the number of accidents and vehicle crash deaths per year.

I myself have only ever been in a slight fender bender in my high school parking lot. But, I vividly remember a time in my life where the reality of how dangerous driving can be settled in. It was during a school day for me, where my partner who was in college had a free day. We had just gone out to lunch, all taking his car. Everything went well, as I knew it would, because he has always been one of the best drivers I know. It wasn’t until a few classes later where one of our mutual friends told me I needed to check my phone. When I did so, I saw a series of messages from my partner. He had been in a car accident. In that moment I could feel my face go pale, and my heart drop. Someone who I deeply cared for was in an accident, and I had no idea how bad it was, or what would happen next. I am sure many of you know this same feeling, to be helpless and worried that someone you love is hurt or in danger. It is a feeling that sticks with you, fogs your mind, and is so incredibly sickening. After some frantic calling and texting, it turned out he wasn’t injured. He had been rear-ended on the highway after someone was falling too close behind him, and a semi in front of him had to make a sudden break. The car was totaled, and he ached from the impact, but he was otherwise unharmed. Despite him being fine, I have never forgotten that fear I felt in the moment.

Being a safe driver is imperative to everyone. Remind your friends that speeding, while it can feel fun in the moment, can lead to dire consequences, and affect them for the rest of their lives. You should always pay attention while on the road, keep your phone away, and focus in.