Your actions have consequences

Your actions have consequences

Fabiola Chapa

It was late October, just another normal day at school, everyone is talking about their plans and costumes for Halloween. That day you had made plans with a friend to go watch Matilda, the musical your school’s theatre department was setting up. It was supposed to be just another regular fun day at school. The announcements interrupt your math class to announce that the musical was canceled after school. You were confused as to why the show was canceled but you didn’t think much of it and just texted your friend if she wanted to do anything else after school. One of your classmates whispers to you “did you hear about the car accident last night?” to which you respond “no, what happened?”. She says “don’t know for sure but one of the theatre kids was involved and that’s why they canceled the production”. Your breath stopped and your face went cold, you were friends with the theatre people at your school and wondered who could it have been? You quickly search up the news and your heart stops. “One dead, one critically injured Sunday night in Bee Cave crash”. The name “Brady Reardon” was in big black letters. You knew Brady, he was in your social media marketing class and he wasn’t just “a theatre kid” he was The theatre kid. Brady was known for always getting the lead, he was loved by everyone and now he will never be the same. That night of the terrible crash Brady suffered extreme brain damage.

Drivers ed is crucial for the upcoming generations of new drivers for the sole purpose of teaching teenagers how to drive efficiently. Driving is something which you learn and improve in, nobody is automatically amazing at driving. Seeing as close to 6,000 new drivers were involved in fatal car accidents in the past year just further emphasizes the importance of drivers ed. Drivers ed teaches new drivers how to safely maneuver a motor vehicle and helps develop healthy driving habits.

In order to prevent potential fatalities in motor vehicles drivers need to start driving sober and being more attentive to their surroundings. At 16 years old is when you are legally allowed to obtain a drivers license in the US, it is also the most common age when teenagers start to experiment with drugs and alcohol. Close to 30 people die every day due to intoxicated driving which has led to drunk driving being one of the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration distracted driving makes up more than 25% of all fatal car accidents. In my personal life I’ve seen many drivers eat, drink, put on makeup and use their phone while operating a motor vehicle. Since my youth, I always remember chastising my drivers and informing them of the danger that they are putting themselves and others in.

I got my drivers license when I turned 16, prior to that I had been learning how to drive for well over a year. I don’t own my own car but I still find myself having to be the designated driver to many social events with my friends. I always make myself the designated drivers in order to prevent my friends from driving intoxicated, I am their guardian angel. I often see myself informing drivers on the dangers of using their phone while driving, whether it’s a friend, family member or even an Uber driver. I look out for everyone and I hope they will do the same for me.

I love my friends and family and I can’t imagine losing one of them to their own or others careless choices. Drive Safe. Drive Sober.