In Memory Of My Cousins: A Call For Responsible Driving

If we could narrow down the number of deaths caused by driving, how could we do it? My own experiences highlight the importance of this question. Three of my cousins passed away from car accidents because of reckless driving before reaching the age of twenty. The death of my cousins continues to haunt me each and every day because a single careless action or unwise decision resulted in enduring sorrow for me and my loved ones.

The solution to this problem starts with educational programs. Students who enroll in drivers’ education classes receive most of the knowledge required to operate vehicles safely. Even though fault exists in every accident, research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that drunk driving accidents account for “32%” of total traffic accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also conducted through research that “38%-52%” of all crashes result from drivers who are distracted. The number of fatal driving accidents can decrease when we educate ourselves to be responsible and maintain constant awareness of our environment.

I have never experienced an accident personally -thank God- yet I frequently think about my cousins whom I mentioned earlier. The following story begins with the tale of my cousin Tyler who displayed boundless energy in everything he pursued. He possessed unlimited potential to reach his goals and fulfill his desires. Tragically, one night he was at a party where he drank irresponsibly. Him and his friends thought it would be a good idea to go on a ride- while Tyler wasn’t the one driving, he let another friend drive his car. What started out as a good night for them, ended up a nightmare for his friends and family.

As they drove down the country roads enjoying life- all of a sudden, his friend decided to make an irrational decision to reach speeds of up to 120 miles per hour. Eventually they came across a railroad track, where their car flew into the air and hit a tree. That night, my cousin lost his life- and me, and my family lost a piece of our heart.

Now, let me touch on my other two cousins, Sam and Jermaine, who ended up leaving us at the young ages of 15 and 17. I remember this day like it was yesterday- February 17th, 2017. The morning of February 17th my cousins decided they were going to steal a car. What they didn’t know- was that one irrational decision was going to lead up to them losing their lives. Soon after they took the car, the police were contacted and ended up locating the vehicle with my cousins in it. This initiated a high-speed chase. Not even 3 minutes after the chase began, my cousins crashed and lost their lives.

The loss of my cousins serves as a daily reminder of the severe consequences of being reckless on the road. This story reflects on the importance of education, awareness, and being responsible when it comes to driving. We must always keep in mind that the decisions we make on the road can have life-long impacts, not just on ourselves but for our loved ones and our communities.

Reflecting on our personal experiences and sharing them with others while continuing to educate ourselves we can help maintain safe driving and make the roadways a better and safer place. Always refer back to our driver’s test: check your mirrors, make sure your lights are functioning, and ALWAYS wear a seatbelt. Our #1 responsibility behind the wheel is to be a cautious driver. My hope is that by sharing the stories of my cousins, it helps spread awareness of the consequences of reckless and irresponsible driving. Not a day goes by that I don’t get in my car and remember what happened to them.

My call to action is to continue advocating for safe driving. I believe the law should call for stricter punishments on those who refuse to drive safely. Whether you’re a passenger, like my cousin Tyler- or involved in a high-speed chase, like my cousins Sam and Jermaine, we’re all just one wrong choice away from ending our own lives or the lives of others if we don’t continue to make responsible choices behind the wheel. This is why I cannot stress enough the importance of education, awareness, and responsibility when driving.

If we could just recall one incident, one story every time we get behind the wheel- we could save countless lives. I hope that sharing this touches many hearts, and to my cousins- I will always continue to share your stories. May your legacies live on forever, and your souls remain with us always.