Name: Dannielle Marie Tremblay
From: Topsfield, MA
Votes: 12
We
operate heavy machinery on a daily basis starting when we are just 16
years old. Driving is a freedom, a right of passage and something
that is often taken for granted. A few weeks ago, in a town over from
mine, a sophomore student named Ryan passed away after being in a
random car accident. It shook our community, especially since his
lacrosse team had a playoff game the next day without him. Everyone
wore red to support his family and just by the look on all the
students faces, you knew this situation affected everyone who heard
it. Everyone drives and it could have been anyone who got in the
accident. Random accidents are something we ignore and avoid thinking
about because we know it’s true.
Education
on the realistic dangers of driving is important for people to
understand that they are not untouchable and there are serious, even
fatal, consequences. Tragedies like Ryans remind us that we aren’t
untouchable and it could’ve been anyone. Yes, we can control and
try to limit our distractions while we drive but what we cannot
control is how others drive, which is the scariest part. I have been
in a few rear ending accidents with other drivers and even though the
damage was only done to the cars, it’ll shake you up. These “what
if’s” are the feelings we usually push to the side in our minds
because they make us nervous. We shouldn’t drive in fear but we
should address and talk about the risks of driving the machinery we
drive everyday.
As
a society we must normalize safe driving in every sense. Which means
drivers must practice good habits themselves. I always am buckling,
setting my phone up to where I won’t need to hold it and I pay
attention to the road.
Passengers
also play a key role in safe driving. Often the passengers forget how
much they affect the driver. Passengers have to be respectful that
the driver needs to focus and help them if they need directions, send
a text for them or change the music. I fully take on the co-pilot
position every time I am in the passenger seat, and when I am driving
I expect my co-pilot to do the same. As the passenger, my eyes are on
the road almost as much as the driver, because two sets of eyes are
always better than one. Instead of not paying attention, if you treat
being a passenger as an engaged part of driving, then you become more
aware of everything you may not see when you’re driving. Every time
you step into a car, whether or not your driving, you take on a
responsibility to influence safe driving or be practicing safe
driving.
Before
we get in cars each and every day we need to be thankful for the
opportunity to do so, understand the risks that are involved and
treat it as a privilege, even if we are just a passenger.
