Driving: A personal Journey Through Responsibility and Risk

Not ago I experienced an event that completely shifted my perspective on driving forever. It happened while I was riding a shotgun with a friend on our way. We were engaged in conversation and sharing laughs as everything seemed ordinary—until it was not. Suddenly in a split second my friend glanced away from the road to read a text message resulting in the car veering into the lane. Thankfully no other vehicles were close by. Disaster was avoided. It hit me then that we were a step away from being another statistic in the car accident records – a sober reminder of the perils of driving even for cautious individuals like us.

Around 34 000 individuals lose their lives annually in the United States due to road accidents. A figure surpassing the combined count of soldiers lost in Iraq and Afghanistan wars. It is a contrast that prompts reflection upon our attitude towards driving. Every instance we embark behind the wheel involves a decision that impacts not our lives but also those of others. The dangers are always there. Personally, speaking, the gravity of these risks has never been more apparent to me.

Since I got a driver’s license, I have come to realize how much driving you really do have to pay attention and focus on what is in front of you, because it is your responsibility behind you. At the start it felt like freedom to drive, everything was so much fun. After I had a narrow escape, I could not shake the feeling of how fragile freedom is. I thought about all the times I had seen people, me included, casually glance at their phones, or push the speed limit just a little because they were running late. Just because they want to get somewhere faster, they put themselves and others at risk. I used to think going on my phone or speeding was not big and just small and insignificant, but now I see the truth and how they really are life threatening turning points. One second of distraction could mean the difference between life and death.

Ever Since my perspective on driving has shifted dramatically. I always find myself thinking about the people I care about and the ones I love while on the road. I think about my family, and how one accident could change everything. I think about my friends, and how easily a fun night out could end in tragedy. All these thoughts are not meant to really scare me, but they are to remind me of the responsibility I have every time I close that door and turn that key. It is no longer about just getting from place to place—it is about making sure I get there safely, and that everyone else does too.

One of the hardest things I have come to accept is that we all think we are the exception. We think that accidents only happen to other people, that we are always more careful, more aware, better drivers, and that we do not do stupid things. But the truth is, accidents do not discriminate. Accidents do not just make you a bad driver right away. Good drivers can make bad choices. I have learned that being a responsible driver means accepting that reality and doing everything I can to minimize the risks, not just for myself, but for everyone else on the road with me.

From now on, I want to commit to making safer choices every time I drive. Reminding myself every time before I pull my phone out of my pocket, setting my GPS to where I am going before, I put the car in drive. But it is more than just changing my habits. I also want to speak out to other drivers to think the same. We are all in this together, and if we can influence each other to be more mindful, maybe if we all just think about the outcome we can change the number of deaths every year. The heartbreaking news that families must hear. If we just change how we think about driving —treating it as the serious responsibility it is, not just a routine task.

In conclusion, the implications of driving are deeply personal for me now. Every time I get behind the wheel, I am reminded of that narrow escape and how quickly things can go wrong. Persuading me not to make dumb choices. The numbers get higher and higher every year, but they are more than just numbers—they represent lives lost, families broken apart, and the futures of important people being cut short. I do not want to be the one to add to the number, I do not want anyone I know to be added. Being a driver means being aware of the risks, and more importantly, doing everything in our power to keep not ourselves safe but our responsibilities and others on the road. It is a responsibility I do not overlook now, and I hope more people will start to feel the same way as I do.