Not just a Statistic

Emilee
Glaze

Driver
Education Initiative Contest

Not
just a Statistic

The
day has finally come, and your parents hand you the keys to your
independence. The world now feels so open, so free. Sixteen, the age
where life is just beginning, and your first sweet taste of freedom
is granted. You see the look in your dad’s eyes and how proud he is
of the used car he was able to buy you. You see the trust in your
mother’s eyes, as she believes she has raised you to make the right
decisions. This is the feeling you have been waiting for, and you now
have the world at your fingertips. All that is running through your
mind is where you want to go and who you want to accompany you. No
fear, just pure joy. Your little brother runs through the yard, and
he can not wait to have the first ride. He hops in with tiny, grubby
hands rubbing against the window as an excited attempt to wave
goodbye to your parents. The brakes squeak as you slowly back out
onto your street, but you do not mind because the squeaky piece of
junk is yours. With the radio loud, windows down, and your little
brother clapping along in the passenger seat life seems effortless.
Your parents told you to avoid the highway, so you listen. You chose
to take the more scenic route because the cool mountain air smells of
flowers this time of year. Your brother giggles with excitement and
presses his button nose to the window. You are approaching a four-way
stop, and this is nothing out of the ordinary. You have practiced the
procedure several times while having your permit. As you ease up to
the stop sign, you look all directions. It seems safe. That is just
it, it seems
safe.
Instantly, your car is t-boned. The car flips, your brother is thrown
from the car, and you are trapped inside watching his motionless body
hit the ground. The driver was drunk. Today was the last time your
parents got to see you.

This
story, although, it may not be real is a testament of what many
families’ experience. Whether it be a drunk driver, texting teen,
or just an unsafe driver the effect is the same. People die from
carelessness and from the selfish nature of others. Being late for
work and speeding to get there on time or driving under the influence
because you are not “that drunk” are never going to validate the
loss of life. Never is being on time for work, drinking and driving,
or not following the rules of traffic in general, worth the risk of
losing your own life or drastically affecting the lives of others.
Think about this, one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. is
motor vehicle accidents. These accidents that keep people from
returning home to their parents, kids, and spouses, could be easily
prevented by considering a few safety measures.

Do
not make yourself a statistic, instead make it a point to follow the
rules of the road. There are simple ways to do this and help prevent
accidents, and more importantly death. Wear your seat belt. It is not
cool to not wear your seatbelt, try telling yourself how cool it is
when you get extremely hurt or possibly die because it was
“uncomfortable” or “uncool” to wear one. Stay off your
devices. There is no text or call that is more important than your
life or the lives of those around you. Whoever is contacting you
cares enough for your well-being to wait for a reply. Lastly, do not
drink and drive. There are so many great alternatives than driving,
for example: have a friend pick you up or utilize companies like
Uber. Driving drunk is not worth the risk.

Personally,
I have never been in an accident, but I do know countless people who
have been affected by them. I have a cousin who now suffers from
extensive brain damage for the rest of his life. He was young, and he
had such a bright future ahead of him. Now he will never have the
mental abilities passed the age of about eight. I have friends whose
parents never came home, and their lives were forever changed.

These
people are not statistics. They are people with real lives, real
heartbreak, and real stories. Do not let these stories go
unrecognized. Do not let someone’s life be cut short or drastically
altered from your mistakes. It starts with you; it starts with all of
us. If every individual can make an effort to drive safer, a world of
difference will be made. We have a duty to our family, friends, and
those around us to drive safely. Let us not just be a statistic, but
a statistic of change. Let our actions been seen and noted. Let this
be your call to action that when you sit behind a steering wheel you
are no longer responsible for just your own life but for the life of
someone’s daughter, son, husband, wife, or friend. Do not let that
statistic involve you.