It could leave you paraplegic

Millions of us use our cars to drive to work, to school, to the gym, to the grocery store and to many more places on a daily basis. It is routine for most people. You get into your car, you start the engine and you start driving. But do we all always drive cautiously enough? All the time? Do we pay full attention or do most people get lost in their thoughts while driving cause as so many things in life, driving has become an automatism. Which leads us to focus on other things such as thinking how stressful today’s work day has been, how many to do’s there are on our list, what to eat for dinner, and the list goes on.

I still remember going to driving school myself and how nervous I was taking both theory and practice lessons. I also do remember how cautious I was of the road and my driving style when I first started driving by myself. I was so nervous but still so cautious of everything going on. I do wanna say that the cautiousness definitely decreases within time passing. Just because driving is not new and scary anymore, but we have gotten used to it.

Even though that is something completely normal for human behavior, we should all be aware of the immense responsibility we are carrying when driving on the roads. Every year, an insanely high number of people die due to car accidents. For that reason, I think that everyone should go through a driver education program that specifically addresses safety for yourself and others while driving. In addition to that, I believe that this program should not only be taken once, when you learn how to drive, but at least every two years. Such as a first aid course. To stay on top of your skills when in the car. As well as theoretical skills, theses programs should also focus on practical skills such as what to do on icy roads, rainy roads, how to avoid a crash, emergency braking, etc. A driver’s instructor should be in the car with every participant and train for these dangerous but common scenarios. To get everyone participating, one could incorporate the rule of loosing your driver’s license if you don’t have an updated driver education certificate. This could definitely be an idea to help reduce the number of deaths related to driving.

Another idea to help reduce crashes and deaths in relation to driving, advertisements on the radio or on billboards you pass on the highway, can make a huge difference. Even if we do not listen or read those advertisements consciously, especially with the radio, our subconscious will still be reminded of the consequences that driving irresponsibly can have.

On top of that, especially young drivers should be fully aware that any form of drugs while driving can cost your own or even one another’s life or impact that person forever. Sadly, I do speak from experience. A couple years ago, my girlfriend’s brother was hit by a car while crossing the street. He was a young, talented and curious young man with lots of ideas and aspirations for his life which all abruptly ended with that accident. Ever since then, he is paraplegic and needs to be taken care of by a medical team as well as his parents. All of his dreams are gone. He can barely speak. And all of that happened because one driver out there was driving under the influence. So let this be a reminder to all the young drivers out there; your actions will have consequences! Think about what kind of role model you want to be in this world. Think about how your life will never be the same if something actually happens. If it happens to you or to someone else, your life will change forever. I highly doubt I could ever be truly happy and carefree again.

In order to raise more awareness and to be a better and safer driver out there, I think that it is of great importance to drive with caution and to try to keep your attention on the roads instead of your thoughts. Of course, this is impossible to implement all of the time, but it can be done most of the time and it can be good practice as well. Furthermore, I will encourage my friends to go to driver education programs together to ensure that we are on top of our skills. Calling people out on their irresponsible driving habits is certainly not easy but incredibly effective and important. Sometimes, people are not fully aware of their driving behaviors which is something a quick conversation or reminder can fix.

In conclusion, I truly am convinced that driver education training programs, advertising the dreadful consequences irresponsible driving can have as well as promoting safe and sober driving, are the keys to less harm and a decrease in the number of deaths related to driving out there. Everyone should remember that it is not just a car you sit in and drive to places daily; it is one of the most dangerous and deadly places to be in. For you and for everyone else out there. So be aware; as soon as you start the engine, your responsibility for yourself and for others is one not to underestimate.