Lessons Learned From a Close Call

All four wheels broke loose on the ice, the vehicle fishtailed and spun a 180-degree turn, the left tires popped off the wheels going over the curb, and the car slid down into the ditch, almost tilting over. The right wheels of the vehicle slammed back to the ground, and then, silence. No one was hurt, the car was repairable, and thanks to loving parents and a few good samaritans, the vehicle was pulled out of the ditch and everyone made it home safely. This was my first experience in a car accident, when I was 17, the first winter after I got my full driver’s license. It was almost completely self-inflicted as I was going around a turn, with no other cars in sight on the road, trying to “drift”. Due to poor judgment, I almost didn’t make it home, and since that event, my perspective has greatly shifted.

I took Driver’s Ed when I was 14 and a half years old, as early as I could. I wanted to drive, I was excited about the new experience and the freedom. I never had any issues with the concepts or the laws of driving, or how to be safe around other motorists, however as proved by the previous story, I didn’t fully understand the responsibility and gravity of operating a vehicle, and what can happen due to that lack of judgment. I think that shows both the importance and shortfalls of driver education. Teaching the rules of the road, and the method of operating a vehicle is important, but is more simple. Teaching the responsibility that each driver has to protect their passengers, themselves, and other motorists is a bit more complex. Just teaching responsibility isn’t enough, what really needs to be taught is the why behind the responsibility, the value of life. During the last week of school every year, the school district where I grew up would park a wrecked car on a trailer in the school parking lot. This was to showcase the dangers of driving under the influence and was aimed at the graduating class. The car was provided by the family of a student who had passed away in the car accident years prior, as a reminder to students to be safe. I feel like examples like this can help portray the value of life to young drivers and prevent future accidents and tragedies. Parents teaching kids the value of their lives and to love others and value their lives would have a strong impact on lessening the number of accidents among younger drivers. This is the lesson I learned after my near catastrophe, I’m grateful I learned it when I did, and I’m thankful no lasting damage occurred, but I wish I had learned the lessons without the danger that situation posed to myself and my friends that were with me.

I think the number of deaths related to driving can be lessened with two solutions. The first would be to reduce the number of accidents in general. I think several factors contribute to that, outside of the human factors I’ve already covered, I see distracted driving as a main concern, along with road conditions or layouts. At least a couple times a week on my way to and from work I see a collision that had happened while someone was stopped at a light or stop sign and was rear-ended. I would assume most of the time this is due to distraction while driving. There is a simple fix for this, putting down your phone. Even the new “hands-free” systems don’t help much, as now instead of a few gauges, AC and heat controls, and radio dials, we have one or two screens the size of a tablet or computer screen. There is nothing more important while you are driving than driving. Because if you don’t make it to your destination, it doesn’t matter who texted or called you. The second important factor I see in reducing the number of deaths is changing how our vehicles are designed. Every year passenger vehicles get taller and heavier, and there has been an increasing trend of vehicles with very high and long hoods. Both of these design trends pose a lot of safety risks for other drivers and pedestrians during accidents. Automobile manufacturers could help improve the overall safety of the industry by changing these factors.

In conclusion, the overall safety of driving and the automotive transportation industry is left to a lot of factors, but small changes made by all of the drivers in the United States would certainly make leaps and bounds in the right direction. My focus, and the example I want to set for my children is remembering the value of life, and eliminating distractions while driving, whether that is my phone, reaching for something in the backseat, or using vehicle controls unnecessarily. These ideas will allow me to do everything in my power to make it home safely, and as others follow suit, the roads can become a safer place.