Safer Roads for Riley

Safer Roads for Riley

America is a country brimming with bustling people. They race off to work, hurry off to school, and refuse to stop for a moment to reflect on the dangers they create in their reckless rush. Maybe, amid the crazy ambush of daily activities, they sit at the wheel with little regard for the subtle drug-induced buzz coursing through their system, or feel the urgency to respond to their Snapchat feed while on the road. Whatever the scenario, these reckless driving habits could easily conclude in death. According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, “More than 38,000 people die every year in crashes on U.S. roadways”. Unfortunately, many are familiar with dangerous drivers, possibly even family and friends, so this statistic is not surprising. However, with the implementation of driver education programs and individual efforts to curb irresponsible habits while on the road, these deaths and can significantly be reduced

Although I regularly experience instances of reckless driving, there is one instance that had a great impact on me. This was in 2017 when 12-year-old Rylie Guentensberger was killed in the RNK Running and Walking store. Although she was not driving or on the street, an irresponsible motorist with an underlying medical condition plowed through the store, hitting and injuring Rylie. After 28 days of hospitalization following the severe crash, Rylie died with her family at her side. I never met Rylie in-person, but my entire family and I slowly grew close to her through a Facebook page created by her mother to update followers on her daughter’s condition. I also felt a special connection to Rylie because we were both young girls and we both enjoyed running. I could have been in her place, shopping at the store for my newest pair of running shoes. I could have been the girl living out my final days in a hospital while the world waited to see if I recovered. We were so similar and unsuspecting. This terrible tragedy reminded my community and I that irresponsible driving not only affects those in a vehicle, but also innocent citizens and their families going about their daily lives.

Driver education is an essential component of preventing similar deaths. Most people receive their first driver education instruction as teenagers when preparing to receive their licence. In these classes, students learn about basic rules, safety tips, and risks associated with operating a motor vehicle. For example, one of the driver education units covers the damages caused by drivers who were under the influence of drugs. Although the images displayed and situations described in this session are often lurid, the message is clear for all students and instantly, many commit to never drink and drive. This lesson and other similar driver education units are crucial to protecting young drivers and the entire community because they instill the importance of caution while driving. It also reminds teenagers that even small decisions can have a brutal, devastating impact. For those involved in employment positions that require driving as a main component of their daily work, they attend additional driving classes, which include a reminder of safety rules and possibly lessons on operating more cumbersome vehicles. More numerous and easily available forms of these driver courses would help reduce deaths because people would be reminded of important rules of the road. Other steps that could be taken to reduce casualties include promoting safe driving practices in schools through awareness posters and seminars, a pamphlet of safety reminders given to drivers when renewing their license, and increased police supervision of motorists. While these proposed solutions will not completely solve the problem, the number of deaths will be reduced because drivers are more conscientious of their actions and have a better understanding of the dangers associated with automobiles.

I can be a more responsible driver by shutting off my phone while driving, and making sure that all passengers have securely fastened their seatbelts. This will ensure that I remain completely focused on the road, and that in the event of an accident, all passengers are safely buckled into the car. I will also remember to abide by important safety guidelines, including looking in my mirrors and around the car to maintain awareness and obeying the speed limit. While this will keep myself and others safe on the road, I will also be serving as a positive role model for other motorists, especially for future drivers.

Reckless driving is a chronic issue in America and across the world. In order to solve the problem and save thousands of lives, people must attend driver education classes and pledge to never participate in distracted driving. Although this change will not be easy, if all people collaborate to make a positive difference, then everyone will be much safer on and off the road.