Safe Roads, Save Lives

I never got to meet my Aunt Christie. She was involved in a serious car accident and unfortunately passed away. She was driving home from work when she hydroplaned and ran into a powerline pole, immediately passing away. Nobody knew, we were only informed when the police knocked on my grandma’s door to deliver the news. Christie passed away before I was born, although I feel as if I knew her. Even though I never met her, my family involved her in everything we have done. Her pictures are everywhere, and we believe she sends us signs when she is around. It is hard knowing that she would have been my best friend. She was just the person who loved kids with her whole heart and would have been the best Aunt to ever exist.

This is not the only experience I have had with reckless driving. When I was little, my father would purposely swerve on the road if we were not paying attention. At the time, I saw his actions as a silly game, but looking back, I realize how dangerous it was. Although he was careful and nothing ever happened, it would have been very easy for him to lose control and crash the car into a ditch or another vehicle. These actions may have seemed harmless in the moment, but they posed significant risks to our safety. My dad also used to quickly slam on the breaks to scare us again or wake us up if we were sleeping. This behavior also could have gone wrong. Slamming on the brakes suddenly could result in losing control of the car, causing a serious accident. These habits, though intended as jokes, showed a lack of awareness of the potential consequences of irresponsible driving. It taught me how crucial it is to respect the responsibility that comes with being behind the wheel of a vehicle.

While my father’s actions were risky, other drivers’ reckless decisions also highlighted the dangers on the road. One day my grandma and I were heading home from shopping together. We were sitting at a red light when a white blur flew between my grandma’s car and the car in front of us. We watched the white blur run across six lanes and into an advertisement board for a company. The white blur turned out to be a car that came from the parking lot of a gas station and car wash combination store. My grandmother and I were terrified if she had pulled up a little bit more – which she normally does – the white car would have hit us and completely sent us spinning. We were very lucky that nobody was injured, except for the one person driving the white car. I believe the car was going at least 70 mph as it flew out of the parking lot and across the six lanes.

These experiences have made me very aware of the dangers of reckless driving and irresponsible driving. Driver education is crucial in reducing accidents and saving lives. Many accidents could be prevented if drivers were better trained to handle different situations. Similarly, the reckless actions of drivers show the importance of understanding the serious consequences of poor decision-making behind the wheel.

Proper driver education goes beyond teaching people how to operate a vehicle. It provides a foundation for safe driving by emphasizing the importance of decision-making, responsibility, and awareness. Driver education can teach individuals how to navigate hazardous conditions, like hydroplaning or icy roads, and how to remain calm and focused in high-stress situations. Additionally, these programs address the danger of distractions, such as texting or eating while driving, which can lead to devastating consequences. They also stress the importance of adhering to traffic laws and understanding how even small mistakes, like speeding or failing to signal, could lead to catastrophic outcomes. By making sure to instill these principles, driver education empowers individuals to make safer choices in time, reducing accidents and saving lives. Education ensures that drivers not only know how to handle their vehicles but also understand the heavy responsibility they obtain every time they get behind the wheel.

Through my own experiences, I have come to understand just how important it is to prioritize safety on the road. Driver education is not just about passing a test; it lays the foundation for responsible driving habits, significantly reducing the risk of accidents. By investing in the proper training and encouraging accountability behind the wheel, lives could be saved. By emphasizing the proper training and awareness, we can save lives and create safer roads for everyone.