In The Driver’s Seat by Samichhya Subedi

SAM! SAMMMM! SAMMMM!

Sam: “I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m not injured.”

But Sam is not fine. Blood is trickling down the side of her head, her knees and hands are bruised, and her phone’s screen is shattered. Still, she gets up from the middle of the road and rushes home with her friend.

Right now, her biggest concern is her broken phone. She doesn’t notice the blood running down her face yet, so she doesn’t care. But as time passes, she sees the blood, feels the bruises, and the pain sinks in. Fear overwhelms her, and finally, when everything is processed, she pauses to thank God she’s alive. So, what happened? Sam got hit by a car.

I am Sam and this is the scariest thing I have ever experienced, all because of a driver who ran a red light. I’m lucky enough to be typing this—many others are not. Out of over 6 million car accidents each year, 42,000 people lose their lives in the USA. Worldwide, thousands of accidents go unreported, many of which result in broken bones and lost lives.

Clearly, getting a driver’s license is not enough to ensure safe driving. Worse, there are hundreds of unlicensed, underage, or intoxicated drivers who show no regard for humanity when they hit an innocent pedestrian—or even a reckless one—or another driver.

In our society, it is okay to kill as long as you are in a car while doing it. It’s labeled as an accident. “Oh, I killed a poor innocent teenager on my way home. Oh well! Not my fault—it was an ‘accident.’” There’s almost never any prosecution for car accidents, and there’s zero responsibility from the people who hit the other person.

But what could be done to prevent this?

I think driver education shouldn’t end with passing the driving test. New drivers need practical lessons in safety—seatbelt use, managing speed, avoiding DUI risks, and mastering skills of driving. Old drivers shouldn’t be left out either; they need refreshers to keep up with modern challenges and could volunteer to mentor beginners.

Laws exist, but people keep breaking them. However, countries like Dubai, with strict enforcement, see far fewer accidents than the U.S., where over 45,000 lives are lost annually on the roads. It’s time for zero tolerance on speeding, reckless driving, and distracted driving.

When the cost of breaking the law is high, people think twice. That’s why fines alone aren’t enough to put off reckless driving. A real consequence is to suspend the license of anyone caught speeding, driving drunk, or breaking major safety rules—until they complete mandatory training to correct their behavior. A driver’s license is a responsibility, not a right. No one should be behind the wheel until they’re trained to be safer.

Using phones while driving should also come with strict fines. The only true safety measures in a car are the seatbelt and airbag, yet many drivers still scroll through their phones while speeding at 80 mph, even in the rain. Distracted driving, particularly due to phone use, remains one of the leading causes of accidents. “Commit to putting your phone away while driving, or else your entire month’s salary is gone.” That’s what should be written and implemented. For navigation, phones should be set up before the trip begins, with hands-free mode as the only acceptable option.

If you’re drunk, you shouldn’t drive—period. “Commit to driving sober while driving, or else you’ll be unemployed for 6 months.” There’s no excuse for putting your life and the lives of others at risk. Moreover, bars and restaurants must step up by arranging rides for intoxicated customers, including services that bring both the driver and their car home.

The other thing is if someone you know isn’t a good driver, don’t hesitate to say something. Sure, it’s awkward, and people don’t like being told they’re bad at something, but staying quiet might let them keep driving carelessly. Speaking up could save lives, so it’s worth the discomfort.

A poorly maintained vehicle is an accident waiting to happen. Routine maintenance is essential, as a car in good working condition is far less likely to experience mechanical failures that could lead to accidents.

I am not a driver yet, so I don’t know the rules of the road that well. But I know that once I get my license, I will learn defensive driving—a skill I discovered through my research and believe will be very helpful.

As a defensive driver, I’ll focus on staying safe by expecting the unexpected. I’ll drive in a way that helps me avoid accidents, even if someone else makes a mistake. This means being alert, giving myself enough space to react, and being patient when other drivers act recklessly. If someone cuts me off or makes a dangerous move, I won’t take it personally or get angry—it’s not worth risking my safety. Instead, I’ll stay calm, adjust my driving, and focus on avoiding trouble.

No punishment can truly make up for intentionally or unintentionally killing someone with a car. But that doesn’t mean we should accept casualties as unavoidable. The steps I’ve suggested might not solve everything, but they could make a difference in saving lives. One careless moment can ruin lives, but with better awareness, education, and responsibility, we can all work towards safer roads for everyone.