The Importance of Safe Driving.

My name is Raegan McIntosh and In May of 2013, I experienced a traumatic situation that would occupy me with sorrow but somehow influence me for the better. I lost 3 of my loved ones due to reckless driving; 2 of my aunts, one with child. I was young then, incapable of driving… Once I reached the legal age to drive, I knew reckless driving would not be an option for me and I advocate for safe driving for everyone I care about. Grief is a friend to no one and to lose one over something so careless is an even deeper scar. Experiencing heavy emotion at the age of 5 stuck with me and engaged me into deep levels of empathy. I often find myself crying when doing normal things, the typical grief experience. Some days are harder than others. Almost 12 years ago, even still right now, my situation affects me. Oftentimes I see many young people driving carelessly, from speeding to driving without seatbelts, sometimes even drinking and driving. The situation that occurred resulting in the lives of my loved ones is the reason why practicing and participating in safe driving is important to me.

 Many children don’t know how to care. They follow what is portrayed of their parents and other guardians. If we were to spend more time educating the youth on the importance of driver education, the number of deaths would reduce. People would care! Most don’t care until they are shown but if we educate the depth of just how tragic transportation is there is a great chance situation like my aunts’ may be avoided. Road rage is another factor concerning reckless driving. Even following someone too closely may result in unwanted circumstances. Distracted driving, driving under the influence, failures to yield, using the phone while driving, each are different ways of reckless driving. We have to remind the youth and everyone else, arriving at your destination on time may be important but it is not worth your life or another person’s life. 

Something as small as an emotional influence is enough to decrease someone’s driving ability. The classes and life lessons I’ve been taught helped me thoroughly; “Drive sober or get pulled over”, “Click it or ticket”, “Pull over if you’re tired”, “Is that text worth a life?”. Each phrase is what should be explained in schools, in driver’s classes, on billboards. It really is important. I advocate for safe driving; people joke about everything they do while they drive yet it is not a game. I also believe driving is more than just pressing on the gas and controlling a steering wheel. Since you’re driving for others, there may be situations where you’re right and someone else is driving and not using precautions. Mentally you have to be prepared for each situation. Of course, every situation isn’t something you can prepare yourself for but the mental capacity you have to have plays another part in being ready to operate a motor vehicle. Truck drivers, bus drivers, uber drivers, anyone. Being prepared for sudden stops prevents both forward and rear end collisions. Anticipation is important as well, which is another reason why we must keep all distractions away. How will you know the car in front of you is preparing to stop if the music is blasted disturbing your brain or if the phone is in your hand corrupting your eyesight? Being intoxicated slows down your brain levels and disengages your ability to think fast. Communication with all of your other passengers, even looking in the backseat are all things we must think about before we drive, and during our drive. In my health and wellness class, one day we discussed Drivers Ed and the safety precautions regarding the subject. In the class, firefighters were there showing us scenes, seatbelt safety, and sharing their experiences. My experience has always been difficult for me to discuss which resulted in me crying before class ended. 

Though my story is hard for me to discuss, I keep it in my mind each time I am on the road or in the car with anyone else. Sometimes, uncomfortable situations put you in a crucial mindset. Crucial yet beneficial. I find it selfish to drive while disregarding others around you. Personally, I’ve never been in a car accident, and I didn’t want to learn how to drive due to my circumstances, yet I took a leap of faith and decided I wouldn’t live in fear or sorrow. Speaking about my experience used to be extremely difficult for me but it is so important, it happened to me it could happen to anyone. Though unfortunate, it is likely each time anyone enters a moving vehicle. When I drive, I drive for myself AND others. Everyone who drives on the road, even bicyclers, they all have lives they want to live! I wouldn’t dare text and drive and put my family into even more days of grief or anyone else’s loved ones for that matter. Life is precious, losing somebody you love is hard. Reckless driving is never worth a life.