An International Crisis

Marshall
Peace

An
International Crisis

It is
easy—dangerously easy—to underestimate the danger one puts
themself in every day when they drive a vehicle. In 2016 alone, over
a million men, women, and children around the world tragically lost
their lives on the roads due to distracted, irresponsible, or simply
poor driving. In a society like ours, to which automobiles are
central, this is a threat to everyone. Fortunately, there are many
solutions that can be employed to shrink these harrowing statistics,
beginning with quality drivers ed. Educating drivers is central
to the fight to reduce road fatalities. Drivers must understand both
how to drive safely, and the high price to be paid if they
don’t. I believe that DMVs and driving schools should invest
heavily in informational materials outlining the consequences of
irresponsible driving, such as videos, pamphlets, and posters. In
addition, another step that should be taken is raising the passing
score on the driving examination. In my home state of South Carolina,
to pass an examination, one must score only seventy percent, a figure
chillingly reflected in the more than 1,000 traffic deaths in South
Carolina every year. Every single county in my state had, at least,
three traffic fatalities in 2017 alone. If the passing score was
raised to eighty, or even to seventy-five, I know that these numbers
would plummet. This is an issue that is incredibly personal for me.
Naturally, as someone who relies on driving to get where I need to
go, I have a vested interest in keeping the roads a safe place.
However, two years ago, while riding her bike, my girlfriend was
nearly killed by a distracted driver. She received a very serious,
deep head wound, as well as road rash on her face and legs.
Thankfully, she made a full recovery, but millions of people around
the world have not been so lucky. The startling experience of nearly
losing someone so dear to me because of irresponsible conduct behind
the wheel was a true wakeup call. It reminded me of the dangers we
face on the road every day, and of how critical it is that I stay
alert and focused while driving. Since Claire was nearly killed by
someone texting while driving, I have kept my phone in my pocket or
in the glovebox while driving, worn my seatbelt, and been an
extremely prudent and law-abiding driver, and urged my friends, when
riding in their cars, to do the same. The price is too high, I remind
them, to be reckless on the road. The scores of people lost every
day, week, month, and year due to distracted, irresponsible, or poor
driving should be regarded as what it is: an international crisis. I
have witnessed firsthand the damage that can be wrought by poorly
educated drivers, and do everything that I can to make the roads of
my community as safe as they can be.