Driving and Thriving: Steps to Stay Safe

A car accident is a terrifying thing to live through…I know this first hand because I have been in three different accidents in my 18 years of life. Fortunately, I was able to walk away from those accidents, unlike the fate of many others who were not so lucky. The DmvEdu.org website states that an average of 34,000 Americans are killed each year as a result of driving accidents. With care and concern for safety, we can take steps to save lives and increase our odds of safely arriving at our destination.

Two of the accidents that I have been in involved a distracted driver that rear-ended our car. One was more serious and sent my mom to the hospital. I will never forget the feeling of the surprise jolt that propelled me forward and gave me whiplash. I remember seeing a gash and blood on my mom’s forehead from her hitting the steering wheel. The sound of metal grinding and smashing still haunts me at times. It took me a while to feel comfortable being in a car again after this accident. Had the other driver been concentrating on the road and traffic in front of them, they would have been able to stop in time and not plow into the back of us.

Distraction is a huge problem for today’s drivers and continues to be the cause of many deadly accidents. With today’s technology, drivers could be talking on the phone, watching a video or actively engaging on social media. The driver could also be distracted by other tasks such as eating or applying makeup. My family once passed a vehicle and we could see the driver holding a bowl of soup with both hands and using her knees to steer–that was terrifying! The key idea here is to secure all items out of your reach and drive with both hands on the wheel. Phones should be set to “Do Not Disturb” mode. Driving should be your only task and top priority until you arrive at your destination.

One wreck that I was involved in was caused by a friend that was distracted by the conversation with others in her car (including me). While laughing and talking,she turned left without noticing an oncoming car. Thankfully, we were only shaken up and not injured, but her car was totaled. I feel that this type of social distraction is very common amongst teen drivers. We need to talk openly with our friends to set clear expectations for safety while riding together. Both drivers and passengers have a responsibility to make arriving alive a top priority. I would not hesitate to decline a passenger that I feel might not respect my commitment to being safe.

One of the most important things you can do to be a safer driver is to make sure that you and your passengers are always wearing seatbelts. I have personally seen teenagers brush off the notion that seat belts are necessary, but, we know that seat belts save lives! Accidents can happen no matter how near or far you are driving, so they are a necessity even for short trips. In my car, I don’t start driving until my passengers have their seatbelt fastened. I am diligent to remind others of this simple, lifesaving, trick when I am a passenger in someone else’s car.

Driver education is important for both new and experienced drivers. With ever-evolving vehicle features, new roads being built, and traffic laws changing, it is important to keep our knowledge up to date. One may also want to consider enrolling in a defensive driving course. These courses help to refresh skills, learn updated traffic regulations, and teach you to be a more careful, defensive driver. These classes can be done in person or online. You may even qualify for a discount on your car insurance by taking this extra step!

Driving can be hazardous, even deadly for many drivers. The force of even a minor car accident could alter the future of those involved. I believe that we often take for granted the safety that we expect with every outing on the road. When we really pause to consider the weight of what is at stake, we should realize that every precaution and step should be taken to ensure the safe-keeping of our lives and the lives of others. I believe that if we are all doing our part to drive diligently and with precautions taken, lives will be saved. I am willing and proud to share this message with my fellow young drivers.