In the Driver’s Seat

I have always been known as the backseat driver. Every time I get in a car, I am hyper aware of everything going on around me. For some reason sitting in the passenger seat makes everything look 10 times closer than it actually is. Hence why when a driver is looking at their phone instead of the road, things can get pretty stressful. It shouldn’t feel like I am on a roller coaster when the speed limit is 40 mph. Even though it may seem like you have everything under control as a driver, all it takes is one second to change yours and someone else’s life. You have to think about your passengers and their family members. What would it feel like to lose them to a careless mistake. With 34,000 people dying each year as a result of driving, everyone who touches a wheel should be fully educated and aware of how to make the road safer for them and others.

The first step to reducing the number of deaths related to driving is making everyone take a drivers education course. Driver’s Ed doesn’t just teach you how to start your car and brake. It teaches you how to be aware of what’s going on around you so you can predict someone else’s next move. Personally, I believe driver education should be included in our high school curriculum. This way, all students can have a chance to really take in what it means to drive defensively. Just like with learning about the importance of not drinking and driving in health class. Teaching defensive driving and road rules, will help prepare students in advance for their driving tests and the road.

Another step should be to include guest speaker days.This could be police officers, firefighters, doctors, or just regular civilians. These speakers would be people who want to share their personal experience with car accidents they have seen or been in. By telling their stories, students’ hearts will be touched, making them want to take their driving more seriously. From their experience, speakers will also be able to give students their best advice on how to practice becoming a better driver. Giving advice like putting your phone on ‘do not disturb’, pulling over when you need to respond to a text message, and facing your phone down when driving can all help students avoid being on their phone as they drive. Ultimately, guiding them to pay attention to the road while helping reduce the number of deaths caused by driving.

Hearing from people’s experiences will work on student’s hearts because it has worked on mine. For a while, all I really had were movies and shows that helped me experience the trauma of being in a car accident and possibly losing someone. Yet, because it wasn’t me personally going through it, I can’t say I truly understood the actual devastation being reckless while driving can have. Not until it was my own brother involved. Three years ago, my brother was killed by a drunk driver. He was walking down a sidewalk when a car started speeding down the road headed towards a person. He pushed the person out of the way and ended up getting hit. My family was devastated. I don’t think people realize how serious these circumstances are until they are involved. It was really hard for a while, especially for my mom. She is normally the strongest one in the household, making sure everyone is okay and has everything they need. But this time, we had to be there for her because she could barely stand up. My brother won’t be able to see his daughter get married or reach her teenage years. My niece will barely remember her own memories of her dad. My mom would explain to me how she was feeling, how it felt like there was something heavy on her chest and she could hardly breathe. Though dealing with his death has become easier, it is a pain that will never leave our family.

This is why it’s important to be responsible when you’re driving because you’re not just putting your life at risk but others too. Not only that but I wouldn’t want anyone to feel that kind of pain of losing their family member to something that could have been prevented. Though I briefly stated some earlier, here are some steps to take to become a better and safer driver. First, make sure to check your blind spots and mirrors. Knowing what is going on around you at all times, can help you think of your next move if something happens with another car. Keep your phone faced down, you’re not going to be able to stay focused on the road if you’re checking your notifications every other minute. If you’re in the middle of a conversation but need to start driving, the best thing to do is let that person know you’re about to hit the road. This way they will understand why you won’t be able to respond and can help save the rest of the conversation for another time. Not only will this help you not continue texting on the road, but it could even persuade your friends and family members to do the same in the future.

Clearly, don’t drive drunk. Feeling the need to party or relax? Make it a sleepover and stay in. Or have a responsible designated driver that can get you safely home. Whenever you see your friends or family members, driving irresponsibly let them know that you don’t feel comfortable with them driving like that. People who care about you and your wellbeing aren’t going to want you to feel uncomfortable around them. It might even persuade them to not drive like that at all anymore! By following procedures like these, I believe the number of deaths caused by driving will be reduced and if everyone takes measures to become a better driver, the roads will definitely become a safer place!