Driving Toward Safety

Every year, millions of lives are altered or lost due to car accidents. Behind each statistic is a personal story about the impacts of a crash on families and communities grieving. Road safety is about more than preventing the numbers; it’s about protecting lives and creating safer communities. Driver education stands as one of the most critical tools we have in equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills to make life-saving choices behind the wheel. Driver education is essential for encouraging drivers to be aware and prepared for safe driving on the road.

Driver education is essential because it provides new drivers with the skills and knowledge they need to navigate roads safely and responsibly. Through a structured educational program, individuals learn the rules of the road, safe driving practices, defensive techniques, and the meanings of various road signs and signals, all of which help reduce accidents. A well-rounded driver education program teaches skills which address key issues like distracted driving, the dangers of driving under the influence, and how mental and emotional states can impact one’s driving abilities. By understanding these factors, new drivers are better equipped to make safe choices and respond effectively to potential hazards on the road.

As a first-generation college student attending the Ohio State University, I faced many tribulations to acquiring my Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work. During my sophomore year in the program distracted driving had a profound impact on my life, financially, emotionally and mentally. I was working two full-time jobs at the time just to make ends meet and support my family. As a low-income family, we often shared cars to make it to and from necessary places. One day, my mom was driving my car and she was using her phone while driving. This momentary distraction led my mom to lose control, causing the car to flip. Fortunately, she left the accident unharmed. However, this choice affected everything else in my immediate life.

After this accident, I faced immense burden and stress financially and mentally. My car was my only form of transportation to both jobs and classes. I eventually had to replace my car, which was an expensive purchase I had not planned for and I was already barely making rent. The second car I bought broke down shortly after, necessitating my purchase of another car. This cycle of financial pressure stripped my bank account, hurting my academics and mental well-being. I began spending my free hours working overtime to afford these expenses impacting my ability to strive in school. Additionally, my relationship with my mom suffered; I was thankful she was safe, however I felt much frustration and disappointment. This accident taught me, and my mom, the importance of safe driving.

Beyond my personal story, I feel a strong desire to help prevent others from going through similar experiences. Distracted driving can and should be preventable. One idea to tackle this issue is to push for legislation that requires automobile manufacturers to disable any devices that could distract a driver. By implementing a “Do Not Disturb” mode in every vehicle, drivers would be unable to use phones or other devices unless they are essential for navigation or hands-free communication. Establishing this feature could significantly decrease distractions.

My goal as a social worker is to be aware of the areas where people are heavily impacted by preventable actions, including distracted driving, and advocate for positive change. In this day and age of advanced technology, a great way to target young drivers would be through social media campaigns, i.e. TikTok. Social media can allow people to directly engage with those impacted by distracted driving and hear their personal stories. Additionally, educational programs targeting young drivers could make a difference. Programs could include real-life stories from people who have been affected by distracted driving, emphasizing its dangers and consequences.

I believe these measures could make a real difference, in hopes to ensure that others will not have to experience the same financial and mental toll I experienced because of distracted driving. With awareness and preventative policies, distracted driving has the ability to be reduced and possibly eliminated.

As I strive to become a safer driver, I am committed to remaining focused and minimizing distractions, such as avoiding the use of my phone while driving. I recognize that staying calm and patient is crucial to safe driving, especially in stressful situations or when running late. I also understand that being a responsible driver requires continuous learning, so I make an effort to stay updated on new traffic laws and safety practices, reinforcing that driving is a lifelong responsibility. As a social worker, I am trained to advocate for the well-being of others, and I intend to use my skills to raise awareness about road safety in my community, encouraging those around me to have safer driving habits for their own safety and the safety of others.

In my hopes of having safer roads, I believe that driver education has the ability to save lives by providing knowledge, awareness, and safe driving techniques. I am optimistic about a future where effective policies, education, and responsibility can collaborate to make our roads safer for everyone. By continuously learning to be better and improving my own driving and motivating others to do the same, I hope to be a part of positive change that protects lives and reduces preventable accidents.