The Cost of Driving

About a week ago a new headline stormed the news, “Car accident kills two Lewis and Clark High School Students”. One of them was in my grade, the other I had a class with my sophomore year. I didn’t know either of them very well, the girl in my grade I had never met. But I do distinctly remember hearing Rogan laugh behind me every single day in sixth period computer science. I may not have known him personally, but anyone could have saw how radiant his personality was and how bright of a future he had. This accident made it apparent how easily it could have been any teen in Spokane. Rogan didn’t party, drink, smoke, none of it. He was one of the smartest people I knew and loved computer science. Unfortunately, he happened to be driving down the same road at the same time as a drunk driver, and it cost him everything. Having a driving education cannot prevent every accident, someone will always be reckless and inconsiderate, but it can limit them.

Before we moved to Washington, my family lived in Oregon where drivers’ education was free and provided by the high schools. My sister got her license through that program, and I have never been more scared for my life than being in her passenger seat at 7:30 in the morning driving to school. Thankfully, we moved to Washington before I had to start drivers ed. Having effective and productive drivers’ education can be the difference between a safe driver and a reckless driver. Although they may not be reckless forever, like in my sisters’ case, there were so many instances that she could have gotten in an accident when she was a teen, hurting herself or someone else. If she had been afforded the same program I went through, she could have decreased her risk of being injured. And if everyone in the country was provided a strong drivers ed course before they are given a license, the entire country would be safer when taking to the roads. Not every accident could be avoided, but maybe Rogan would be sleeping in his bed tonight instead of the current reality.

This is why every state should require a driver’s education before licenses are provided. Like in Washington, a lot of people wait until they are 18 to get their drivers license so they can just take the test. Or people just drive illegally to avoid taking the class. Some ways to help reduce this problem would be to offer free or cheaper courses so more diverse populations are able to afford to take a course. Or they could provide financial grants for those that meet the requirements so states could make it mandatory for all people to take drivers education before they get a license. They can also look to offer more times of classes with varying lengths so that people with busy schedules can be better accommodated. Although the government and each state can take measures to help ensure safer drivers, it is truly each and everyone’s responsibility to drive safely; Making conscious efforts to not use your phone while driving, not listening to music that hinders driving, and eliminating distracting factors like drugs, alcohol, food, and being drowsy.

This also goes for those you choose to ride with. When my sister was driving me to school, I should have told her to turn the music down or drive under the speed limit. Holding those we ride with accountable is just as important as driving safe ourselves. For example, the only car crash I have ever been in was when I was 12. My family was driving out to the coast for the day on a one-lane bendy highway. Without warning, the car in front of us slammed on their breaks to make a turn, forcing my dad and the other 3 cars behind us to do the same. Unfortunately, the RV a couple cars back had been tailgating the car in front of it, and wasn’t stopping any time soon, causing several cars, including us, to get rear ended. No one was seriously hurt, but if the wife of the RV driver had said something about how close he was to the other car, the entire accident could have been avoided. It seems uncomfortable to say something, but if anything had ever happened to my sister while she was driving, I would have never been able to forgive myself for not saying something. And you never know the influence you can have on someone until after. By simply expressing our concern for others and taking steps to be a safer driver, our roads can be safer too, but it is going to take effort from everyone before innocent lives like Rogan and Jayneat can be saved.