If My Grandmother Had Lived Longer

Currently, I am studying public administration in the University of Georgia in the United States. I am living a happy life with my wife and daughter, surrounded by love and support. However, amidst this happiness lies the painful reality that my beloved grandmother can no longer witness my journey. She was a remarkable woman who spent her entire life farming in a rural village, saving every penny she earned. Rising at 5 a.m. each day to work in the fields, she would return home only at sunset. Although I could only visit her during school breaks, her warm gestures, like handing me crumpled pocket money, filled me with affection. Tragically, my grandmother passed away when I was a high school student. One day, while sitting in the back of a tractor, she was thrown out onto the road due to a hit-and-run driver in his twenties. The impact left her with severe head injuries, leading to her untimely death.

As a high school student at the time, I only remember crying loudly at her funeral. However, as I grew older, I learned from my father that the driver, who had been drinking with friends until dawn, took the wheel despite his inebriation. Following the accident, he drove erratically and could not escape the scene. If he had been in a clearer state of mind, my grandmother might have survived with timely medical assistance. Later, I discovered that this driver had only recently obtained his license, and I found it hard to understand why he could not recall the critical lessons of driver education and made such a grave mistake.

This leads me to wonder: what if this driver had received more thorough driver education? What if the friends he was drinking with had stopped him from getting behind the wheel? What if advanced technology had equipped his car with systems to detect erratic driving and automatically shut down the engine? What if every vehicle was required to carry essential emergency supplies to assist victims of car accidents? Any one of these improvements could potentially prevent tragedies like my grandmother’s from occurring. In the following sections, I will discuss the importance of enhancing driver education for individual drivers and improving the surrounding human and material environments.

Currently, driver education primarily focuses on basic knowledge through simple written tests and practical driving assessments. However, these methods often only prepare drivers for ideal conditions without addressing real-world challenges. For instance, a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that drivers who completed comprehensive driver education programs were 20% less likely to be involved in accidents in their first three years of driving compared to those who did not receive such training. Moreover, immersive experiences that simulate the effects of driving under the influence or excessive speeding can significantly enhance understanding. By incorporating advanced technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in driver education, aspiring drivers can experience the consequences of risky behaviors without endangering themselves or others. This experiential learning approach could deeply instill the potential dangers of reckless driving in their minds. Furthermore, implementing continuous safety training from an early age in schools can foster a culture of safe driving. Statistics show that drivers who engage in regular refresher courses exhibit 15% fewer accidents over a five-year period compared to those who do not participate in ongoing education.

To prevent reckless driving, it is crucial to foster a supportive human environment. This can be achieved through nationwide safety driving campaigns and education programs aimed at all citizens. These campaigns can utilize competitions, advertisements, and other engaging methods to promote safe driving practices. Additionally, it is essential to provide group training for both drivers and their families. This training should include personal stories from families who have suffered the loss of a loved one due to irresponsible driving. By sharing these heartbreaking experiences, we can instill a sense of responsibility for safe driving in all participants.

The material environment also plays a significant role in enhancing driving safety. Even if a driver makes a mistake, technological advancements can help prevent accidents. Car manufacturers should invest more in developing safety features that automatically intervene when dangerous driving behavior is detected. Governments can also enforce legal requirements for these features. Additionally, states should promote campaigns encouraging drivers to carry emergency supplies in their vehicles. It is essential to educate drivers on how to use these supplies effectively in the event of an accident.

In conclusion, it is evident that both individual driver education and the surrounding human and material environments must improve to significantly reduce fatalities resulting from reckless driving. By implementing comprehensive training programs that utilize advanced technology, raising public awareness through human connections, and enhancing vehicle safety features, we can create a safer driving culture. If we can accomplish these goals, it may bring a measure of comfort to my grandmother, who has departed from this world. In a way, her memory will live on through the changes we make to ensure that others do not experience similar tragedies. Together, we can foster a safer driving environment, honoring her legacy and preventing future losses.