Gone

Gone.
That was the word that echoed through Lisa’s head. She couldn’t
believe it. She didn’t know what to do. How could that be what her
husband was? How would she tell her sons that their dad wasn’t
coming home that night, that he wouldn’t see them graduate, or get
married? How could she say that they would never see him again? It
was all so sudden.

Lisa’s
husband, Mike, had been in a car accident. His car had been forced
off the road by another. The driver of the other car was uninjured,
but arrested for intoxicated manslaughter. Mike had been killed by a
drunk driver; he’d been killed by a man that never meant to hurt
anybody, but someone that had had just a little too much fun and made
a decision without understanding the consequences.

Unfortunately,
Mike’s story is not unique. According to the CDC, 2016 saw 10,497
deaths from driving accidents involving alcohol. Those deaths were
preventable. Drivers ed is vital to all drivers in
understanding the impact that their decisions have while behind the
wheel. For most Americans, the 2,000+ pound piece of metal they drive
is the most dangerous weapon they will ever come in contact with,
however, many people do not realize that. Drivers ed can be a
valuable way to remind people of the consequences their choices have.

I
have been in the car many times with friends and family members who
were driving irresponsibly, and it is scary. Everytime, I think about
Mike and Lisa’s story and am reminded how important responsible
driving is. It is not always fun to be the “responsible friend”
but it is certainly more fun than being in an accident.

It
is also the responsibility of each and every person to help one
another stay safe on the road. Although screaming songs loudly may be
fun, it can be distracting to the driver and dangerous for everybody
involved. It is important to remind friends and family of the dangers
that can come from irresponsible driving, and to be a courteous
passenger. It also is a good idea to take turns being the designated
driver, and make sure that everyone gets home safely.

The
best ways to prevent the high number of driving related deaths are
often the simplest: putting your phone where it is not visible, and
making a plan to get home safely if the evening could involve
alcohol. Each of these take just a moment, but could save countless
lives.

Gone.
Unfortunately, every year there are thousands of people lost to
irresponsible driving. It is up to each and every driver to make
responsible decisions when behind the wheel. Whether it is driving
drunk, texting and driving, or even paying more attention to their
friends than the road, making the wrong choice could cost lives, and
drivers ed is an important tool in making sure drivers
everywhere understand this.