We Can, Have to Change

I
was driving to the ice skating rink for my daily practice session,
just as I had done everyday for the past few months. I drove past the
familiar apartments, bundles of leaves, and stop sign stationed at
the edge of the upcoming parking lot. However, this day there was
something odd about the red sign, specifically its surroundings. As I
passed by the stop sign, a car rolled past its warning towards me. I
passionately sounded my horn, but within a second I felt my car
stumble like a bumper car at the state fair. I pulled over to the
side of the road with the other car following my lead. Fortunately,
we were both unharmed and the cars continued to function with a bit
more evidence of age. When I asked this man why he did not stop at
the sound of my horn, he answered- with his head in his chest- that
he was looking at his phone. These few seconds where his eyes had
been hypnotized by his phone immediately put both of us in a
dangerous situation. While the damage from this accident was minimal,
there are too many more accidents where the consequence is deadly. In
2019, around 38,800 people died from car crashes alone. To put this
in perspective, the number of deaths from the Iraq War was 3,836. The
number of deaths from car crashes for the past few years has
consistently been close to 40,000. This number is overwhelming,
devastating, and can be, has to be changed. With optimal driver
education courses and the practice of good driving techniques, the
number of deaths will fall. Drivers (implementing instructions from
drivers ed courses) will be more aware of their surroundings at
all times on the road, will not give in to technological
distractions, and will benefit themselves along with other drivers on
the road by following traffic signs. Driving is not a natural
instinct for humans; it is a skill to be learned. Therefore, it is of
the utmost importance that every driver is invested in learning the
rules of the road and follows precautions that should be taken inside
a vehicle. A strong base of knowledge increases the potential for
success, for driving and every other skill imaginable. Every single
driver has an impact on reducing the number of driving related
deaths. In order to do this, drivers should be proactive. Of course a
driver’s undivided attention should be on the road ahead of them,
but a driver should also be mindful of side streets, traffic signals,
cars on the other side of an open road, and cars at an intersection.
By being aware of one’s environment, a driver can save lives by
following rules and being ready to react to potential mistakes of
preoccupied drivers, rather than encountering devastation. I, along
with others, also need to ensure my phone is silent and out of reach
while driving. This will prevent distraction and temptation,
protecting my own life and others.