Responsibility in the Driver’s Seat

Flashing lights of ambulances and police cars filled the dusky morning air. I peered out the car window while we passed the scene in the distance. My dad continued to drive me to school that morning. The middle school, just a few hundred yards from the high school, had just witnessed a horrific accident. As I went about my day, my thoughts kept returning to what had occurred that morning. I heard whispered rumors throughout the day about what had happened, but I didn’t know what to believe.

It wasn’t until I returned home that I got the whole story. My sister, Ruby, attended the middle school where it happened. She told my mom and me that a boy, Mak, was hit by a driver while he was crossing the crosswalk to get to school. Apparently, as the sun rays were hitting the windshield, a young mom had also been looking at her phone so she did not see the boy on the crosswalk. Mak was rushed to the hospital where they fought to save his life, but he passed away early that afternoon.

Ruby sobbed as she told us and I cried too. Life is so fragile. I hadn’t seen that until then as no accident had hit so close to home. I didn’t even know Mak, but I was distraught. Additionally, I had just received my driver’s permit a month or so earlier. Hearing this news frightened me to drive even more than before. I didn’t want to drive and be responsible for a tragic accident like that. From that day, I vowed never to text and drive as I had seen it hurt the lives of so many.

Although car accidents happen everyday due to a number of things like weather conditions, or even in this case, the dusky morning sun being at a terrible angle, the sun and weather cannot be changed. Nothing can be done to fix those things, but something can be done to avoid conditions humans bring on the road themselves. We are in control of the way we act and choices we make behind the wheel. The responsibility one holds as they drive is often forgotten or overlooked. Putting away distractions and being focused on the present and being a defensive driver is imperative. The temptation for teens, and others, to quickly respond to a text, glance down at a new message, or even find a new music playlist is real, but is it worth the risk? There are small acts that could aid in reducing the risk. For example, young people could put their phone in a pocket where they can’t see it or easily access it, prepare the music or podcast they wish to listen to before putting the car in drive, as well as be aware of what’s around them.

Life is fragile. Mak and many others have been affected by texting or other phone related distractions. That is why it is crucial for even small steps to be taken to prevent texting and driving accidents and to increase safety on the roads. Putting the phone down may save a fragile life.

Being a safe driver is crucial and being well educated in regards to driving is crucial. Driver’s education teaches how to be defensive, aware of your surroundings, and calm in the driver’s seat which are characteristics of drivers that I believe would reduce the number of vehicle/driving related deaths and accidents. If teenagers are taught how to be good drivers at a young age when they take driver’s ed courses and practice driving, they will be safer and better citizens on the road. The responsibility of being in the driver’s seat is immense, so it is imperative to have the right mindset and skills to keep not only themselves, but their passengers safe.

Although I have already been through driver’s education, I can still take steps to be a better and safer driver. These steps may include that I can make sure to not drive when I am angry or upset which could affect my driving. Additionally, I can ensure that distractions are put away and everything is set before I set out on the road. For example, if driving for a while, I could make sure that the music or podcast I’m listening to is all ready, so I am not looking away from the road to change radio stations or skip the song. There are many small steps that all teenagers and adults drivers alike can take to keep safe driving a priority. Ultimately, these steps come down to responsibility. Being a responsible driver can solve many issues associated with driving and accidents which will help reduce death and injury.

The driver’s seat comes with a lot of power and responsibility, one that should not be taken lightly. Being cautious on the road is important to not only the driver, but the passengers and others on the road. Like Mak’s story, life is fragile and driving accidents can be prevented through little steps and through good driver training. Safe driving is an incredible way to make the world a better place.