“In the Driver’s Seat”

Too many times we are plagued with new stories of vehicle accidents which result in fatality. We must take every opportunity to prevent the heart wrenching loss of someone due to a vehicle accident. The evolution of motor vehicles safety mechanism, progressive laws, and incentives aid in prevention of vehicle fatalities. Continual education promotes cognitive behavior and structural learning. This is something held near and dear to my heart as my family has personally been affected by a fatal motor vehicle accident. It truly changes your life, forever.

On December 26, 1999, at the young age of eighteen, Daniel lost control of his pickup truck while driving on a sandy country road; not only did a high school senior lose his life that day, but a family lost a son, a brother, a grandson, a nephew, friends lost a classmate, coworkers lost a colleague, the church lost a parishioner; moreover, the entire community suffered the loss of a young man. My father’s younger brother, Daniel, although I was never privileged to meet him, is spoken of often and remembered for his compassion, charismatic personality, and true love for others. I personally see and feel the loss my family encountered almost 24 years ago, every day.

Everyday lives are lost due to motor vehicle accidents, some of which could have been prevented with driver education and safety. When I obtained my learners permit at the age of fifteen, I was ecstatic and as I shared my enthusiasm with my parents, they proceeded to tell me, “It is a privilege to be ‘in the driver’s seat’ and comes with great responsibility.” This has stuck with me ever since that conversation and from that very day I have taken an oath to be a better, safer driver, which is of utmost importance to me and something I share with my friends and family often. Buckle up each time you are in a vehicle, drive the speed limit, obey the traffic signs, avoid any use of a cell phone, never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, remain focused always keeping your eyes on the road, hands on the wheel, and prevent distraction from within the vehicle like fiddling with the radio or navigation system. I lead by example in efforts to show others the importance of safety while driving.

The evolution of vehicle safety features has vastly improved over the years; however, it is only a mechanism for safety and does not prevent those who choose to drive recklessly, unbuckled, text while driving, and getting behind the wheel while under the influence. Top causes of road accidents include speeding, drunken driving, distractions to drivers, and avoiding safety belts. Such vehicle safety mechanisms like speed recognition indicators, vibration if eyes are not detected for exhausted drivers, messages to stop and take a break when driving a long period of time, lane change indicators if another vehicle is too close, parking assist, and reduction in speed if you are following the previous vehicle too close. Further vehicle mechanisms will provide additional safety; nonetheless, driver education must correlate to improve safety and prevent vehicle fatalities.

Continual youth education and law enforcement initiatives provide means of defense. Drivers’ education is vitally important to save not only the driver’s life, but also many other people. Moreso, initiative to prevent accidents including supervised driving for new drivers to develop the right attitude about driving. Driving a vehicle is one of the most cognitively complex tasks drivers engage in daily. Education as early as elementary school and continual throughout high school provides awareness of the startling facts of unsafe driving. Instilling safe driving such as the importance of wearing a seat belt and following rules of the road form habits at a young age which become cognitive behaviors where education influences the way we live and drives behavior. Repercussions if safety and rules of the road are not followed must be enforced. Laws must be progressive and imposed. For instance, about fifty years ago cell phones did not exist therefore there were no laws prohibiting the use of cell phones as there are today. Also, driver incentives for safe driving are essential to maintain safety on the roads. As we see today, vehicle insurance companies provide safe driving discounts for those completing a driver education course and for accident-free drivers. Additional initiatives through compensation, reward and recognize type programs will encourage drivers to embrace safety and reduce vehicle fatalities. By instilling these habits, teens will be empowered to make responsible choices, adhere to regulations, and prioritize safety as they are driving; ultimately reducing the number of vehicle related fatalities.

Put yourself “In the Driver’s Seat” today and take the oath to become a safer driver and educate others to do the same. Together we can truly change our lives, forever.