The One Behind the Wheel

What does being able to drive mean to you? Does it mean you’re licensed, simply knowing how to drive, being privileged, or even a death trap? To me, driving is all of that combined. Every year about 34,000 people die in America as the result of driving. Automobile accidents happen left and right and take the precious lives of others away suddenly. The actions you take when operating a vehicle can put others in danger, or on the other hand you can be the responsible one behind the wheel and prevent the number above from exceeding. Some distractions when operating a vehicle can be prevented, for example, putting the phone away. Or having someone else change the music. Driving is a privilege and distractions can turn that privilege into a nightmare in seconds. Be aware, observant, and ready to drive because at the end of the day you’re the one behind the wheel.

In 2021, my mom and 3 of my siblings got into an automobile accident with a semi-truck. My mom was distracted by her phone unaware of the risk she opposed to others. Even though no one was hurt nor injured it had put so many peoples lives at risk. A click of a button can change one’s life. As a result of the crash I became petrified of collisions with semi-trucks. That wasn’t always a bad thing, it made me aware and conscious of the everyday decisions I make while driving. On the other hand my mom regretted her decision and became a more focused driver. She went from going through the motions to precise focus. Ask yourself, is it really necessary to text that person back, scroll on TikTok, and proceed to be on your phone while operating a vehicle? The consequences from an automobile accident list on forever, from injuries to a traumatic event. At the end of the day if you’re driving you’re the one behind the wheel and it’s up to you whether or not you take into consideration that driving is a privilege and not something that should be taken so lightly.

Being educated on driving before you get behind the wheel is crucial. Driver education is essential not just for your safety but for everyone else’s too. By equipping drivers with essential knowledge and skills, driver education plays a vital role in empowering road safety. If more people were educated before getting behind the wheel, the number of driving-related fatalities would dramatically be decreased. Knowledge of road signs, vehicle operation, traffic laws and more is essential before getting on the road. Statistics show that individuals who are aware of the risks of bad habits like texting and driving have a less likely chance to experience a collision with another vehicle. Ask yourself, are you well educated enough to drive? Do you know the effects of bad driving habits and what it can do to an individual’s life?

There are numerous ways the world as a whole can reduce the number of automobile crashes throughout the year. As I go around and tell people how many people die a year from automobile accidents I learn that we as a whole are not aware. People were shocked, intrigued, and wondering, is that even possible? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , in the U.S., approximately 390,000 injuries each year result from accidents involving texting while driving. As I went around more and more students were more shocked. Expanding out knowledge on how deadly driving can be and sharing that knowledge would benefit drivers immensely. Communicating more efficiently of the dangers of being behind the wheel would decrease the number of fatalities greatly and would help drivers make the better choice. Public awareness is needed to inform people before they get behind that wheel. The lives that are lost are not talked about nearly enough. Awareness is the gas to the car as is knowledge is the wheel. For every statistic there’s a face, a story, a loved one left behind.

Reflect on your own driving experience and how you handle situations. Are you on your phone consistently or are you visualizing and focusing on the road? Are you an endangerment to others on the road, or limiting the risks of driving? A step I take every day when I get behind the wheel is not engaging in my social media. Doing this allows me to stay focused and feel confident in my driving. Before you get behind that wheel, think twice—no, even three times—not just for your safety, but for the safety of others. Your choices either lead to a tragedy or safety.