A Driver’s Last Song

There is no freer feeling than driving down the road and blasting the song Fireworks by Katy Perry. As you turn the corner on your way to school your friend Ashley starts singing “Do you ever feel like a plastic bag drifting through the wind wanting to start again”. You can’t help yourself, so you chime in, “Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin like a house of cards one blow from caving in”. The song brings out so many emotions that you and Ashley are now screaming it at the top of your lungs. The music is at full blast and Ashley is flailing her arms and bouncing in her seat. You look over at her and are embarrassed by her ridiculous moves. Looking back to the road you quickly jerk the wheel to turn the car. While Ashley’s dance moves entertained you for a quick three seconds, you didn’t even notice the twenty-five-thousand-pound semi-truck headed directly at your car. The two vehicles collide, and your knocked unconscious by the impact. Suddenly, hands surround you pulling on your arms and clothes. You wake up days later and soon learn that before you could even sing “cause baby, you’re a firework” Ashley had been crushed under the weight of the truck and killed.  

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of fatalities, causing an average of three thousand deaths per year. It is important that anyone who is operating a motor vehicle is attentive and alert when on the road. This means making sure you are not distracted by passengers and your devices. To maintain focus it is important to take steps in order to keep your eyes on the road. Don’t ever drive while under the influence of drugs or any illegal substances. Responsibility and self-awareness are the two most important aspects of being a safe driver. Following all traffic rules including speed limits, traffic signs and signals, and passing when appropriate are key to being a safe driver. Keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you can allow for more reaction time. It is also important to use signals to let other drivers know your intentions when on the road. Responsibility is not limited to adherence to the rules of the road. It is important that a driver takes care of their vehicle and follows routine inspections.  

Driver education is important because it gives drivers the tools to understand the rules of the road and how to become a responsible driver. It is highly important that schools teach drivers education and provide students with the knowledge to become great drivers. Teenagers make up one of the largest groups who are new to driving. By educating teens in the proper operation of motor vehicles we can help prevent many accidents and possible fatalities. This can also help create a generation of safe drivers. Today, younger generations are generally attached to their devices and can easily become distracted when driving. It is common for somebody to be tempted to check a text, change a song, or type in directions while driving. It is much safer to let a passenger handle these tasks and for the driver to stay focused. If there is no passenger make sure everything was handled prior to driving.  

My twin sister was a victim of a car accident because her friend was distracted. Like Ashley, my sister was a major cause for the driver to become distracted. Her friend ran a stop sign and was t-boned by another car. If the driver had not been distracted by the passenger, they would have seen the stop sign which would have prevented an accident from occurring. My sister could have helped prevent this accident by being a respectful passenger and letting her friend focus on the road.  

It is important to not let emotions affect your attention to the road. When the weather is bad make sure to reduce speeds and allow more distance between cars in front of you. Black ice and hydroplaning can cause cars to slide. Many injuries can be prevented by making sure that your seatbelt is secure and that your passengers have their seatbelts buckled. Always be cautious when on the road and be aware of drivers around you. It is important to be able to predict the actions of other drivers in order to prevent a crash. Make sure you check your mirrors regularly and are aware of cars around you. Positioning mirrors correctly will help you easily detect what is in your surroundings. Being a cautious, responsible, and educated driver can help you prevent situations like Ashley’s.