We are Behind More than Just a Wheel

We
are Behind More than Just a Wheel

By
Jack Billante

Driving
is a very normal part of our lives. It’s so easy to hop in a car
without thinking about the fact that you are maneuvering a giant hunk
of metal at high speeds. No one ever describes it that way but it’s
the truth; we are controlling these extremely powerful machines every
day with nonchalance. It’s important to note that there are
dangerous drivers of all ages. We as a society need to address that
it isn’t one specific group of people who are at fault and make
sure everyone is on the same page. Due to the fact that few are
thinking about the immense responsibility they have when driving,
people tend to act carelessly. As much as we hate to think about it,
life is finite and we are not invincible.

I
learned this in a car accident when I was fifteen. A young woman
drove through a stop sign and hit us on the driver’s side of the
car. Luckily, my mom was ok. I, on the other hand, was not. I
suffered a serious concussion which took a huge toll on many aspects
of my wellness. I had already had a concussion a few months before so
the impact of this one was amplified. I couldn’t read, dance, or
have any type of intellectual stimulation for six months. Not being
able to do my schoolwork caused me a great deal of stress. It was one
of the most frustrating times in my life. All because someone else
wasn’t paying attention while driving. We were lucky to be in a
Honda Odyssey because those cars are built for safety, but knowing
that so much worse could have happened if we were in a different car
or had been hit at a different angle frightens me to this day. I’ve
been in many cars where others act irresponsibly and it makes me
upset that the driver can’t see the potential consequences of their
foolishness. Whenever I’m in a car with someone practicing unsafe
driving, I let them know I don’t feel comfortable. It’s important
that we check each other to keep those around us in the best driving
shape possible.

I
am learning from the mistakes of others and am becoming a very safe
driver. Paying attention to my surroundings while I drive has been
super helpful since many surprises can come out of nowhere on the
road. Knowing the driving laws is extremely important for being safe
behind the wheel. I propose that drivers should have to take a road
test every 10 years to make sure that they are fit to be in the
driver’s seat. With more comprehensive driving education and a
required demonstration of safe driving at multiple points throughout
our lives, we could have significantly safer roads.