Smashing Results

Smashing Results

By: Madison
Wielosinski

Driving sometimes
feels surreal to me; growing up, my friends and I always dreamed of
having our own cars and being independent. Now, that dream has become
a reality and it carries a lot of responsibility. While driving, I
often think to myself just how easy it is to get into an accident.
One look away from the road can have catastrophic effects.

Before
I started to drive, I participated in a drivers ed class
much like other people I know. I learned a lot throughout the course
such as what road signs stand for, the commonality of accidents, and
the utmost importance of staying sober while driving. Without this
education, there would be a dramatic influx of car accident related
deaths and injuries. It is statistically shown how important driver’s
education is; when young drivers do not complete the course, they are
75 percent more likely to get a traffic ticket, 16 percent more
likely to get into an accident and of those, 24 percent more likely
to have an injury or fatality (Newman). Just
by attending a drivers ed program, you are already reducing
the number of deaths that occurs on the road.

Not only that but staying clear of phones while
driving can save lives, as they are the causes of most accidents. The
reason being is that the neurotransmitter, dopamine, is released from
our brain whenever a phone rings. Therefore, we are stuck in a
conditioned process of checking our phones, even while driving. One
feature that can prevent this, is the “do not disturb while
driving” tab on cell phones, which prevents notification alerts. By
doing this, you are showing responsibility. The more people start to
become responsible, the fewer lives have to be lost due to driving.

Fortunately,
I have never been in a car accident myself, but there are others I
know who have. My cousin, Abi, was characterized as an irresponsible
driver, as she loved pushing the speed limit. Tragically, on her way
to school one morning she was speeding, swerved and hit another car,
dying instantly. Abi was only 17 and her whole life was ahead of her.
By hearing this news, it gave me a reality check; driving is not a
game. I’ve taken several steps to become a safer driver such as
watching the speed limit and keeping myself focused. I help my
friends when they drive by insisting their phone is off and adjusting
the radio and climate controls myself. When it all comes down to it,
it is about responsible behavior. Text messages are not worth your
life and neither is killing someone because you took a couple of
drinks before you drove. The consequences of an accident will bring
smashing results to all those involved.

Works
Cited

Newman,
Ian, and Duane Shell. “Study: Drivers Ed Significantly Reduces
Teen Crashes, Tickets.” Study:
Drivers Ed Significantly Reduces Teen Crashes, Tickets | News
Releases | University of Nebraska-Lincoln,
13 Aug. 2015,
newsroom.unl.edu/releases/2015/08/13/Study:+Driver%27s+ed+significantly+reduces+teen+crashes,+tickets.