Safe Travels Matter

Janet Flores

Nov. 24, 2020

Driving on the road seems so natural to master. Many believe they can learn appropriate driving skills by shadowing fellow drivers, followed by hands on application. Although this may be the case for some previous drivers, it is extremely important to complete and pass a driver’s education course before having access to any car keys or license to be exact. Seems as the years pass, the death rate from car accidents have increased and it’s not only because of substance abuse, even so the lack of education given behind the wheel. Distracted driving has been known to be the most common cause of road accidents. It can easily be controlled by educating the community proper driving skills and precautions. As I get older I notice that the youth from this generation are maturing and developing adult-like instincts quicker. Teenagers today want to drive to school, so they borrow their parents’ car or end up getting one at a very young age. Although some attain a driver’s permit, there is a chunk who still have not gone through the process and are freely driving around our roads. I am not saying that teenagers commuting is awful, I was a teenager once myself and understand the feeling of being able to independently drive. It is a freedom every teenager aspires, which can be a positive experience with several training, plus passing the drivers exam. This standard procedure has been around even before I was consumed, and the death rates for accidents are still simultaneously high. I strongly believe there are other approaches like a prevention campaign, the help of positive leaders and education through schools can help reduce the amount other than taking a class and passing a test. 

Advertising safe driving through commercials, billboards and public posters can definitely raise awareness to how severe this issue is at hand. I grew up watching a lot of scenarios or portraits of Smokey the Bear who protects the woods from fires, symbolizing the safe haven for the wilderness, or campaigns of what “Smoking cigarettes can do”. These visuals are prevention campaigns and if we create one for driving education, it can bolster the chances of dropping the number of death rates. There have been some commercials/billboards in regards to safe driving from different organizations or insurance companies, however some can be part of a strategy to get more clients to join their policies. Providing a scenario of an accident can trigger people to panic and seek insurance, yet having insurance will not guarantee survival of an accident. The key for being safe is being knowledgeable and alert while traveling. The pro part of the insurance ads is the support for the cause by publicly showcasing possibilities of driving irresponsibly. There are campaigns that advocate for the prevention of driving under the influence or even slogans like “click it or ticket.” They tend to focus on one aspect of driving responsibly. We need more broadcasting and a strong campaign like D.A.R.E to make known all the details that fall into driving. We need a new Smokey the Bear, possibly a particular bird like the roadrunner, who runs the streets in hopes of spotting reckless, or distracted drivers. (Beep! Beep!) Another way we can reduce the number is to use celebrities, role models or well-known people to expose the features of safe driving. They can use their platform to tweet or post on social media making it visible to many fans. Even creating a tune or melody that is catchy enough to grab the attention of the public. In addition to campaigning, we can also provide educational events at schools for the youth. As a child, I remember the fire fighters hosting multiple events at my elementary school educating us on the steps and procedures when there is a fire at home. They also performed a “Stop, Drop & Roll” song. Little things like this make a big difference, as we are mentally preparing our children to be more cautious once they begin to drive.   

    As a driver of nine years, I can say I received the proper education and training to operate a vehicle. My parents trained me and gave me a time frame to practice in an open area before even attempting the streets near my home. I studied the drivers book and passed the test without hesitation. I know I am not a perfect driver, but I take precaution when I am on the road. I have only experienced one car accident as a child and can’t fully remember much. Though one experience I will never forget was the loss of a close friend due to irresponsible driving. On November 24, 2013 my dear friend Jorge Gallardo was a victim of reckless driving. It was about three in the morning, Jorge was heading home from a night out. He was driving through 43rd and Camelback in Phoenix, Arizona and approached the red light. He was patiently waiting to turn right as a car was dashing across from him. Unfortunately, that car ended up crashing into his car and killing him on site. The driver was an eighteen-year-old drunk driver who was distracted behind the wheel and caused the death of an innocent friend. I know accidents happen regularly and there are things that are out of our control. However, if this individual had proper training and guidance about driving on the road, he would not have been driving under the influence risking his life or the lives of others. My friend cannot be here with his family as we cannot go back in time, nevertheless what we can do is find a way to reduce these tragic occurrences, so no one can experience this type of pain. Ever since this tragedy, I have practiced safe driving regularly. I begin by always meditating and praying before leaving my parking lot. I always make sure I have my seatbelt and all mirrors are set up correctly. I also use my blinker to help signal other drivers when I am going to turn and maintain my distance from other cars. I am more alert on the road by looking at every mirror and my surroundings. Even if I am practicing safe driving I can still be a target from a distracted driver. I know I can only control what I do and these are some of the steps I take to protect myself and others while joyriding the road. There are theories that self-driving cars are being tested and analyzed by engineers and scientists to make it a permanent trend in the mobile world. One of the reasons as to why they want to precisely perfect these self-driving cars is to decrease the amount of crash jams on roads. It sounds like it can be a remedy to decrease the percentage, however until there is enough research to sustain autonomous vehicles these are possible steps I will take to avoid accidents. No one wants to see a loved one drive off then hear that they were involved in a fatal accident, or even take a last breath because of distracted driving. It is an unimaginable pain and all we can do is educate the community by promoting driver’s education using a prevention campaign, positive leaders, and educating our youth sufficient driving skills and precautions.