Prevention Saves Lives

Driving on the road is a daily activity for most Americans, whether it be on the way to work, school, or just for a joyride. I remember when I got my car on my sixteenth birthday, the immense amount of freedom and independence I felt was unlike any privilege I had before. I took the keys and got in my car for the first time, as I pulled out of the driveway I could hear my mom yelling, “Wear your seatbelt, don’t speed, don’t get on your phone, and just please pay attention to the road.” But now every time I put those same keys in the same ignition, I don’t get the loving reminder, and I have been caught lacking in the worst times. In the summer of my senior year, I had done everything but what my mom had told me on my first drive. I ended up hitting a trashcan and going straight into a ditch while I was changing my playlist. Luckily enough I was able to drive out of the ditch all in one piece with no damage to myself or my car. Although my accident may not have been horrific it still gave me a shock back to reality, I sat in my car for an hour crying wondering how I could let this happen. I happened because I wasn’t educated on the dangers of distracted and reckless driving and its consequences. I believe if I had any driver education my accident could’ve been prevented, like if I had known being on my phone was almost like closing my eyes while driving I would have never done it.

Driver education is the scissors that can cut the string between recklessness and driving. If drivers are aware of what causes accidents these actions can be identified and put to an end which will result in a less amount of accidents, therefore a smaller mortality rate caused by car accidents. Educated drivers have the awareness to save the lives of others. To help driver education be more readily available to young people ads should be placed on social media platforms to easily reach the target audience, kind of like what Truth does with their anti-smoking/vaping ads. Also, driver education seminars could be implemented within high schools, I will never forget the Shattered Dream Performance at my high school. Something like this should be available to teens across America. Personally, I can stand up for myself and other passengers when a driver is acting recklessly. I can do this by offering to do directions and control the aux, by reminding everyone to put on their seatbelts, and being the designated driver or offering to get an Uber after a long night out. Don’t be afraid to be the good guy or mom of the group, it can save your life, other passenger’s lives, and others on the road. Everyone can be that loving voice reminding each other of road safety every time those keys enter the ignition.