Memories from the Driver’s Seat

The importance of driver education in reducing automobile-related accidents is to ensure the driver understands the severity of the risks when it comes to driving. When people take on the responsibility of driving, they usually brush off how dangerous it can be, and while it’s understandable to feel as if there’s little to no danger in everyday driving, your whole life can change just from one simple mistake. Even when you’re safe, the risk is still there. However, that’s not to say that driving can’t be safe.

Steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths is to practice safe driving habits, such as simply being aware of your surroundings, driving when you are sober and non intoxicated, making good decisions, and planning ahead.

In my life, I have known many people who have been in car accidents. Some of them, luckily, have survived, but others have had to endure a great deal of pain afterwards. One memory that always sticks with me is one accident that happened to my brother, when he was out at night, hanging out with his friends close to a pickup. His friends had been too reckless with the pickup and he was accidentally ran over. He was struggling to breathe and if he hadn’t been taken to a hospital any bit sooner, he would not be here today. This happened when I was around 11 years old and when he was in his 20’s, near Christmas time. My mother had to spend Christmas in a hospital with my brother, watching over him. Now, he is 36 years old and married, and some days I think about the possibility that my brother very well could have died. That memory has stuck with me throughout driving and it taught me that you need to exercise extreme caution with driving at night, near people, and when you have someone else in the car with you or if you’re in the car with someone else.

Another memory that has stuck with me is of an accident that happened to a girl I knew, named Samantha. She was a kind and fun girl that I remember playing with when I was a little kid whenever there were rosaries. One day, my mom had told me that Samantha had gotten into an awful accident. She was in the car with her brother, and he was speeding while he was entering a sharp curve, they spun out of control and crashed. Samantha was flung out the window and suffered a traumatic brain injury, which left her disabled and requiring assistance. I still remember hearing the news and thinking about how drastic of a change it was as a kid, seeing her talking all the time and then having trouble walking and forming sentences. She’s doing well right now, and I occasionally see her around school. I always remember to be kind to her and help her if she ever needs it.

One final story I have of another friend being in a car accident is of my coworker, named Thompson. He told me of a story when he used to work at a place that took about ten minutes to drive to. Thompson drove all the way to work only to find out he had forgotten part of his uniform and his manager told him to go back and hurry to get it. He sped through as fast as he could, and on the way back, when he was taking a turn, he accidentally rolled over and hit a power line. Luckily, he was swiftly taken to the ER and recovered, but it left him scarred and his family frightened for his life. His manager felt immensely guilty for telling him to hurry, and he told me that ever since then, he’s been sure that he’s driving safely. I heeded his advice and remembered it.

Some steps I can take to be a better driver is to remember these stories as warnings of what could happen if I’m not careful. I know it may be nerve-wracking, but I also have to keep my head on my shoulders and be responsible, especially if someone else may be in the car with me. I take driving safety very seriously, and I am sure to always check blindspots, remember the rules of right of way, obey speed limits, and plan ahead in case of weather, traffic, or time constraints. If anyone is in the car with me, I make sure they have their seatbelt on, no one brings any alcoholic drinks inside, and they feel safe with me being the driver. I don’t want to be the reason for a death that I know I could’ve prevented. If I ever have children, I will be sure to share these stories onto them and make sure they are safe when they drive.