“I love you Courtney.”

Driver education is important in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving because the more information a driver is knowledgeable about the less room there is for error while performing the task. A variety of steps can be taken to reduce the deaths related to driving. A driver should constantly be aware of their state of mind and abilities to operate a car sufficiently. The driver should always be responsible for never operating a vehicle in an impaired state. The driver of a vehicle should always have his or her attention on the task at hand while getting rid of all other distractions like cell phones. Not only should the operator be aware of their selves but he or she should also be informed about their environment and other drivers. A driver should also watch traffic ahead their own vehicle so accidents can be avoided based on what is happening ahead of the driver. Another major step is being prepared for unpredicted weather, predicted weather, and sporadic changes in road conditions.

I believe in never leaving the people I love without telling them. This belief comes from a personal experience with a fatal car accident. 

The first time this really made an effect on me was Christmas of 2011. My Dad’s side of the family has always been very loud and outspoken people who care so much. We all have a different style and almost none of our personalities are alike which makes the chemistry of our family very funny. I have a brother, three male cousins, and two female cousins. Just like in any family were hectically perfect. My family has always had the certain “favorite cousin” we have a crazy desire to be around, mine was my older cousin Courtney. I remember that we were all so excited to be around each other because it was always hard to get us all in the same place at the same time. So, on the rare occasion that we all got to get together at the holidays was the highlight of our year. The evening went as it always does and we had tons of fun just being in each other’s presence. When my parents said it was time to leave me and Brent grabbed our things and said our goodbyes, but my cousin Courtney was downstairs, and I just decided that I’d see her soon, so I left without saying “I love you.” 

In February of 2012, it was a normal night at home. I was at the dining room table drawing a picture for my Mom when we heard blaring sirens pass our house. Usually, we wouldn’t think much about it but there were so many passing by we couldn’t help but be kind of worried. My Mom look at me and suggested that we should call my uncle Mike to see if he knew what had happened, and in an instant my life would be changed forever. A drunk driver had collided with a car that had my pregnant cousin, her boyfriend, and her best friend in it. The car burst into flames and was smashed to nearly half its size killing everyone in the car. The driver was so intoxicated that he hadn’t even realized what he had done. He was laughing and joking while Courtney’s brother screamed in agony as the car was engulfed in flames.

“I love you.” To most people this is a big deal to say to someone. It is a massive gesture to really tell someone how you feel. I believe that these three words are some of the most moving, powerful, and important words that can be spoken. Driving and the risks you take once you pull out of park are far more extreme than a person thinks in the moment. Every decision you make during driving effects the ones around you. I never really felt this until I was sitting in the front row at Courtney’s funeral. There was a separate room where they had only let adults view her body because her injuries had been so extensive that she didn’t even look like herself. I sat there in complete agony because a few months before when I had my chance to tell her what she really meant to me I wasted the time I had to say those three words. The chances I had to make memories with Courtney and her child were stripped from my fingers by a driver who had no regard when he got behind the wheel. He made the decision to put every car he passed at risk of that accident.

This death set a new meaning to my life. I will never leave without telling the people who mean the most to me how I feel, and I will never operate a vehicle recklessly because I know what it’s like to lose someone at the cost of driver error. I will always say “I love you.” 

As a driver you can inform yourself of all the rules of the road. You can be self-aware of what you are doing or what state you are in before you operate a vehicle. While operating a vehicle you can keep yourself focused because your life and those around you are held in your hands and decisions.