Shattered Roads, Strengthened Resolve

October 5th, 2022. Me, My Family, and my University (UofA), were hit by a triple tragedy. On that single day, it seemed like the world was against us all, leaving an indelible mark. It wasn’t just the day my sister, Na’Ima, was struck by a reckless driver, but also the day I, too, felt the impact of a collision while cycling, and tragically, the day our university community was rocked by an act of violence.

The day started a bit late with me rushing to my Chinese class minutes before it started. Petaling fast in the near afternoon heat of Arizona hustling in the bike lane, as I prepared to turn in a cross-section, a car came beside me. This student, wanting to cross the street before I biked in the intersection, knocked me off my bike. At the time, I did not feel any immediate injuries, but would develop chronic pain in my ankle a little bit later, that lasted for a while. As the paramedics cleared me, I took that as a sign to just stay home for the day and walked back to my dorm. Not an hour later, I received campus-wide alerts of someone with a gun on campus and shooting a professor, in a building very near to my Chinese class. I stayed in my dorm room and made sure to stay safe. As I finally felt myself easing my anxiety of the day. I received a call from my mom frantically saying something about my sister. I at first thought she was complaining to me about her and as I started to try to defend my younger sister, my mum stopped me in my tracks and said that the police called her and said she needed to go to the hospital as she was stuck in an accident.

On the other side of Arizona, I decided to end the start of my day early. My sister was getting out of school later, wanting to meet some friends. As my sister, Na’Ima, was on the phone with her friends excited to meet them after a long day at school, she crossed a small crosswalk from her high school to the neighborhood on the other side. Suddenly, the phone is across the street and a car zooms away as she is left helpless and people nearby come to her aid. A driver under the influence came at her at 40+ miles per hour, not slowing down at the sight of her, and left after they forever altered the path of her life. In the cruel coincidence of fate, we both experienced the recklessness of the road that day, amplifying the collective trauma our family endured.

While I escaped with light physical bruises, Na’Ima’s injuries were more severe, leading her to the emergency room, placed in a coma, and the PICU. Family from all around the world came to see her and help support her in her worst time. Co-workers and friends donated food, time, and money to help us in this dire time. I felt the warmth of our community and the love many people had for My sister. She had eventually woken up but with chunks of her memory gone. She would eventually be moved to different childcare facilities for months until she was able to come home. Though it was not over, the aftermath of such a day left my sister with short-term memory loss, constant severe chronic pain, fear, and the regression mentally of two years.

The importance of driver education cannot be overstated in today’s tech-driven society. Devices surround us in homes, schools, restaurants, and cars. Many use technology without comprehending its impact on attention spans, especially in challenging driving situations. The lack of proper maneuvering skills, combined with distractions, leads to dire mistakes on the road. In the era of vaping and cannabis, educating the youth on safe driving practices becomes essential. Knowledge is the key to safe and responsible driving.

As a public health major, I take pride, and enjoyment in learning different methods to address societal issues. We live in a “car first” type of country, where developers think of how accessible an area is via car before they think of any other methods. As a result, we have thousands of teens and young adults having to learn how to drive at a young age, but not doing so properly. Our car-centric culture demands a shift in how we educate teens and young adults about driving.

One of the main issues when it comes to education and sharing knowledge is accessibility. Especially during this time, the economy is skyrocketing, increasing prices and making it more difficult for an everyday citizen to lead their lives. Education is often stopped by an invisible paywall, taking away most kids’ access to quality and proper road education. Allowing children and teens to learn from an early age the proper procedures, recognizing signs, and understanding the consequences of bad driving/not understanding the rules of the road. This method will mentally prepare kids for the importance of proper road safety and installs the knowledge at a much younger age, to the point where when it is time for them to learn how to drive, they are not overwhelmed by the mass of information they need to learn within this short period, but they can also be dependable, as the education they received from earlier on was based on the foundation of proper road rules. Many car accidents with youth and young adults are caused by a lack of discipline and lack of information. This method of intervention will give a more efficient way for the next generation of drivers to start their road life with the proper resources and help lower the risk of future car incidents.

A side note of prevention is by giving away phone holders. Many people use their phones, and though we can’t force everyone to stop using them while driving, we can help lower the chance of people being fully distracted by giving them resources to keep their eyes on the road.

I would like to briefly go over intoxication-related incidents. I feel that the consequences of nicotine, cannabis, and any other substance-related infractions when it comes to driving should be higher to help further people’s understanding of how dangerous such situations are. I know several people who vape or smoke cannabis, understand that they are very dangerous when driving, yet still do so. Letting people know the importance of the consequences of their actions should definitely be a focus to help lower the number of people who drive while using substances.

As I reflect on the past, I always try my best to be a better driver. I did not get my license until I felt I was both mentally and physically ready, which was December of 2023. That was after extensive learning and practicing to ensure that I knew the rules of the road. Because of my sister, I now make it a habit to slow down in school zones, way lower than the speed limit that is posted. I do not use any technology while driving and always pull over when I need to use devices. I do not use any substances, but also make sure those whom I ride as a passenger to, also are not intoxicated and or under the influence.

Thinking back to that tough day in 2022, it’s a constant reminder that life is fragile, and our choices on the road matter. The scars, seen and unseen, stick around. Na’Ima’s struggles that will be lifelong and my lingering ankle pain tell a story of how important road safety is.

Studying public health taught me that education is key. It’s not just about rules but making sure everyone knows how to be responsible on the road. My journey to getting a license wasn’t rushed. Every slow-down in a school zone is a reminder of the lives we’re protecting. Drugs and driving are a dangerous mix. We need stricter consequences for those who risk it. By sharing our story, I hope others see how serious this is and do their part to keep everyone safe. In the story of our lives after that day, I’ve committed to safe driving and pushing for better driver education. The goal is simple: Make it accessible, Make it educational, Make it impactful, Make the roads safer for everyone.