Crashing Into An Electric Pole

“What is the importance of driver education in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving? What steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving? Have you ever had an experience of being in a car accident or have seen your friends or family members driving irresponsibly? What steps can you take to be a better and safer driver as well as help others become safer on the road?”

Driver Education. Driver education is important because it provides people with the information and skills they need to drive safely. It teaches drivers not only how to drive, but also how to read and follow traffic rules, spot road signs, and think ahead about possible dangers. Instructors stress safe driving habits like obeying the speed limit and maintaining safe speeds, wearing a seat belt, and avoiding distractions. These are important ways to lower the risk of car accidents/death. Obtaining a driver’s license teaches young drivers how to be responsible such as never driving while under the influence. When new drivers are taught the basics of safety early on, it becomes a habit that stays with them throughout their lives.

Reduce Driving Deaths. Reducing driving-related deaths necessitates a multifaceted strategy that include infrastructure upgrades, law enforcement, and education. Enforcing stronger regulations against speeding, drunk driving, and distracted driving together with tougher punishments for infractions is a crucial first step. Campaigns to raise public awareness about the risks of texting or using a cellphone while driving and the significance of wearing seat belts can also be quite effective. Accident risk can also be decreased by enhancing road conditions by repairing hazardous intersections and putting up conspicuous signage. Vehicle technology advancements like lane-keeping assistance and automated emergency braking can also help avoid car collisions. Finally, encouraging safer driving practices such as not driving while intoxicated and getting enough sleep before lengthy journeys, can help reduce the number of driving-related deaths on the road.

Personal Experience. On September 21, 2024, I experienced my first car accident. I never imagined myself getting into a car accident, and if I did, I never thought it would be my fault. On what I would call a normal Saturday, I was leaving dance class proceeding to my car and my Mom called to ask if I wanted food. Before she hung up the cellphone, she told me to be careful. While driving home, I picked up my cellphone and made a reckless decision to send a text message. I was 30-seconds from my house and in seconds, I crashed into my neighbor’s fence. I tried to avoid the tree in the middle of my neighbor’s yard, so I turned the wheel sharp and instead of hitting the tree, I ran into a WiFi/electric pole. It felt like my life flashed before my eyes. All of my airbags deployed and smacked me in the face and chest, leaving my ears ringing and not being able to hear. I started panicking because I saw my car smoking. I kicked open the door and proceeded to get out of the car.

Sadly, I do not share this moment with many people, not even my parents, because I felt I should not make a big deal out of how I felt since this was my careless mistake. I was in a state of shock and the first thing I did was pick up the cellphone to call my Mom. I remember her crying and not being able to talk. I had to wait for the police to come and I remember thinking, “I am going to be in serious trouble!” After talking to the police and getting yelled at by my Mom, I felt very numb. The only thing I could think about was how I felt so close to almost losing my life. This resulted in me going into a state of depression.

A Better Driver. After taking time to think about my actions, I realized that I could have been seriously hurt. I have a passion for dance and to think that I could have been paralyzed, really scared me. I say all this to say that driver education is very important. When driving instructors go over texting while driving in driver education class, never think that sending a text message will not result in a car accident. When watching safe driving videos, I felt that the people in those videos were stupid, and I would never be like them until I was in that predicament. To be a better driver, please listen to your driving instructor, parents, and other adults, because you are driving for yourself and the people around you. You have to devote your full attention and focus on the road at all times. In my situation, I could have not only seriously hurt myself, but also someone else around me. Currently, I am often responsible for picking my younger sisters up from daycare and school. I cannot imagine if they had been in the car what the outcome would have been. They both could have been seriously hurt. You are saving a life by paying attention and staying off your cellphone.

Additional ways that could be beneficial to reducing the number of deaths related to driving could be to start public awareness campaigns and have teenagers speak out about their personal experiences. This could have a direct impact and touch the youth by informing them that these incidents are a reality and

can happen to them. When peers come together and share experiences, I feel that it grabs the attention of the audience simply because it is relatable. Sometimes we do not listen to adults (which we should because they have the experience), but when one of our friends/peers tell us, we often listen.

In sum, I want every driver to never think that careless car accidents cannot happen to them. I hold the weight of my car accident on my shoulders every single day when I am behind the wheel. I am constantly reminded of my mistake, but willing to learn from it. I have put my parents in a bad financial situation by totaling my vehicle. My actions not only affected me personally, but others around me as well. I have made it my mission not to pick up my cellphone while driving. You never know what can happen in the blink of an eye. I encourage all of my friends to put their cellphones down while driving and wait until they get home to open or send a text message. No text message is as important as one’s life (or others); do not put yourself at risk for something that can be handled later! I want all young and seasoned drivers to be mindful and understand the importance of paying attention when driving.