Seriously?

Seriously?

“I’m going to the store! Be back in a bit.” My mother says as she walks out the door. Often, I think about the dangers that lie on her journey between here and the Fry’s five minutes away. Red light runners (which Arizona, my state, unfortunately has the highest rate of), preoccupied people, and other forms of reckless driving that often lead to death. As humans, we must get from place to place. Though the main transportation method of today – cars – often proves deadly due to improper driving education. 

On one Fourth of July night, my friends and I headed to a firework show. A friend’s older sister drove us, and, to my surprise, she was Snapchatting her friends while going 55 mph with the four of us in the car. We nearly hit other cars multiple times; however, this didn’t seem to faze her. I began to realize this type of driving behavior is probably normal for high school drivers, and told myself to never be quiet about it again. It’s not only the people in your car, but everyone in the cars around you that are placed in danger due to reckless behavior. Thorough training and education are essential.

All the reckless driving offenses that lead to death happen simply because drivers aren’t taking their responsibility seriously. But, why should they when all they had to do was pass a few tests to receive this small rectangular license they hold? Further education would increase the seriousness associated with having a license. I personally spent time learning the rules, practicing, and getting training from a driving school. However, that does not discount the fact that it takes a little over an hour to receive a license and gain control over the lives occupying the lanes around you. Sadly, extra education isn’t necessarily required. The process to get a license is so minimal that one can almost expect accidents. It should be more extensive, including a longer test drive with the DMV, an evasive maneuvers simulation, and more accountable testing. The evasive maneuvers portion would especially decrease amounts of death because drivers would then be more likely to handle stressful driving situations coherently. With a more serious process, and ultimately a harder to acquire license, students will value their licenses and the responsibility they command.  

When I drive, I take the pilot role seriously myself, I will inform those around me of the importance of safety, and make sure I never leave in a rush or multitask while driving. I also never go on my phone, which is a law all states should enforce (perhaps by installing more flashing cameras along streets). My license is not a piece of plastic, but rather a commitment to uphold safety. When on the road, we drive as a team; however, if one team member becomes reckless, we are all in jeopardy. Therefore, it is up to each of us to maintain driving safety measures.