Anyone’s Last Day

What does one do on their last day? What is it like to have one’s life flash before their eyes? How does one feel at their last breath? These are questions that tens of thousands of individuals have silently answered. Every day, people are getting into motor vehicle accidents, and every year, thousands are dying because of it. Every time you step behind the wheel of your car, you have to think about the increasing number of lives lost on the road. This is the scary reality of driving.

Driver education is crucial to reducing the number of deaths caused by driving. It equips individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to practice safe driving and navigate the complexities of modern roadways. Drivers ed offers numerous benefits, including a thorough understanding of traffic laws and regulations, increasing awareness of driving hazards and dangers of distracted or impaired driving and improving driver attitude and responsibility. More than simply covering the basics and learning rules, driver education instills a deep knowledge of why driving rules create consistent and predictable driving habits and keep everyone safe. Driver education also teaches drivers various techniques to handle dangerous driving situations and helps drivers anticipate and respond to potential hazards like adverse weather, night driving, and emergencies. It even emphasizes the dangers of alcohol, drugs, and mobile phone usage while driving by instilling early awareness of the major causes of fatalities. Defensive driving is another core principle of driver education, where drivers learn to expect and plan for the unexpected from other drivers. By addressing the psychological components of driving and encouraging a responsible approach, the program also fosters a sense of

responsibility among drivers to follow the rules and respect other vehicle operators.

To reduce the number of deaths related to driving, increasing the accessibility of driver education programs can reduce faulty driving practices and improve safety on the roads. Driver education builds foundational skills and instills safe driving habits, so making it more accessible can improve driving techniques overall. Enhancing road design and infrastructure is another method to reduce fatalities. The addition of better lighting, clear road markings and signs, and proper maintenance of road surfaces can all contribute to fewer crashes. Innovations in vehicle safety are also crucial in consideration for safer driving. Car manufacturers should be mandated to adopt cars with advanced safety features, especially with the increasing technological innovations, to limit the likelihood of serious accidents. Another hopeful method is public awareness campaigns emphasizing the importance of safe driving behaviors. Simple and catchy slogans like “Click It or Ticket” or the promotion of anti-drunk driving and public transit can raise public awareness about safety and thus reduce the number of deaths caused by driving.

On November 14th, 2021, five teens, friends, classmates, and neighbors lost their lives that Saturday night. The reason was simple: new drivers on the road. When a teenager turns 18 in New Jersey, they receive a standard driver’s license. It is every teenager’s most exciting moment. A moment of freedom and independence. But with that new plastic card comes immense responsibility—a responsibility many 18-year-olds cannot grasp. After leaving a party following an assault, the driver sped off with friends to chase after an unfinished matter. The driver rammed into the vehicle from behind, which caused the other driver to speed off to avoid another collision. That driver, along with their passengers, crashed in the woods, leaving five individuals in the hospital. Their injuries include spinal fractures, a broken femur, a broken humerus, a broken arm, a brain bleed, lacerations, broken ribs, and a bruised lung. Most were put on life support. What is not included in this list is the years of trauma instilled in the families and friends of these loved ones. The news spread all over social media in an instant. It was all the students at my high school could talk. Did you hear about the crash Saturday night? Did you hear what happened? You will never believe the news I just received! Words flew through the halls as students gossiped about the atrocity committed just a couple of miles away. Coming home from school that day, all I could think about was, what if it had been me? Being a passenger in my friend’s car, I entrusted my life to an 18-year-old whose brain was not fully developed and whose life had yet to undergo its lessons. The scary part of it all was it could have been anyone. Any passenger. Any person. Any life. Any classmate. Any son or daughter. Any friend. Any neighbor. Any teammate. Anyone.

Anyone can step into a motor vehicle, not knowing it could be their last day. But anyone can take the simplest steps to be a better and safer driver. All it takes is a conscious effort to improve one’s own habits and influence others positively. The most important step one can take is to follow the rules. It is an easy task taught in kindergarten. Adhere to speed limits. Never drive under the influence. Keep your eyes on the road. It is crucial that one practices defensive driving to stay alert and aware of other drivers and pedestrians, keeping everyone in and out of the vehicle safe. Following the 3-second rule is another measure to keep a safe following distance and prepare for possible hazards, allocating yourself time to react to unexpected situations. When stepping behind the wheel, commit yourself to focusing on the road by putting your phone on “Do Not Disturb” and avoiding distracting tasks. Lastly, avoiding one of the most fatal driving practices is key to being a safer driver. Never drive if you have consumed alcohol, drugs, or any substance that could impair judgment and reaction times. Telling your friends and family to do the same is another preventative measure to spread awareness of the risks and consequences of impaired driving and promote better driving. Engaging the community in road safety initiatives is a simple measure that goes a long way. We must be more conscious of our decisions because one reckless mistake could give someone their last day.