Perseverance within Tragedy

Perseverance within Tragedy

On May 13th, 2017, I was completing my eighth-grade journey. It was on this night, that I would hear the news, “Your brother, Patryck, was killed in a serious car accident.” The next thing that I remembered was the doctor telling my mom that he would escort us to his room. These words changed my life forever and have altered my personality into the way that it is today.

As a result of this life altering event, I have come to understand the importance of safe and responsible driving on an entire new level. The importance of driver education in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving is monumental. Allowing teenagers and young adults to be thoroughly educated through classes such as Driver’s Education, instills the importance of the rules of the road and the nature of other drivers around you at a young age. Driver education classes not only educate students about the rules of the road and how to drive, but also the dangers that can be often associated with driving. If one does not follow the speed limit, passenger rules, uses substances while driving, and partakes in other illegal behaviors, it can seriously effect them, those in the car, and the other surrounding drivers. Drivers education is a time to learn with the helping hand of an experienced driver close by; this is when people learn right from wrong and how to be as safe as possible the moment they operate the car for the first time alone. If a higher percentage of society were to become educated about the serious consequences and implications of dangerous and unsafe driving, many lives would be saved, including my brother’s. I pray everyday that I would have the opportunity to see his smiling face again, but the Lord called him home to Heaven.

Education plays a significant role in reducing the number of deaths related to driving. However, conversing about driving and practicing with an adult are also two key actions that can save precious lives. One of the leading causes of fatal car accidents is distracted driving; “This is especially true for drivers between 15 and 20 years old” (Drive Safely 1). This is the age bracket that we, high school seniors, fall into. Distracted driving can include looking at other vehicles on the roadway, playing with media, reaching for items, or answering the phone. All of these tasks put the driver into a hands-free situation which is significantly dangerous. We have been taught that two hands should be on the wheel at all times in order to maintain complete control. Another leading cause includes excessive speed; the faster the car is moving, the higher the fatality rate. It is known that men are oftentimes caught driving at higher speeds; this can be caused by alcohol and/or drug usage. Similarly, driving while tired, not wearing a seatbelt, and driving in hazardous conditions are additional sources of fatalities due to driving. This could easily be prevented by additional education and resources for young drivers to truly understand the outcomes of unsafe driving. Education can also stem from actively having conversations about safe driving within households. Teenagers value their parents and older siblings as role models; hearing previous experiences and the significance of educated driving will lead to less fatalities due to driving.

Personally, I have never had an experience of being in a car accident; my family and friends are quite responsible drivers and for that, I am very thankful. However, as I mentioned before, my brother Patryck, died in a serious car accident at the age of 17. This was the worst day of my life and ever since I have taken driving very seriously. Knowing that my brother passed away due to unsafe driving was frightening and saddening to me. To this day, I am still unable to comprehend his loss, but I have learned many things. Driving should be taken seriously at all times; if you ever do not feel comfortable in a situation, use your voice and advocate for yourself. As the driver, you are in control. My parents always told my brother and I before we leave the house “Be smart, be safe, and know that we will always love you.” This holds meaning and truth in my life and I pray that many people in our community learned the worthiness of safe driving as a result of my brother’s accident.

As humans, there is always opportunity for growth; we can flourish and learn in all situations, both big and small. In order to become a better driver and advocate for this movement, I can educate myself about the implications of unsafe driving by coming up to date on recent statistics and factors that affect driving. I can and will continue to practice my driving skills in all circumstances. There are areas that I am unfamiliar with, thus, it is always helpful to practice driving in new areas and make myself aware of traffic patterns and towns with busier driving. Lastly, I will continue to speak and educate those around me, in my community and surrounding communities about the harsh reality of driving. It is not all fun in games; driving is to be taken seriously because we have earned this privilege. In eighth grade I spoke in front of a crowd of 2,000 or more families and students about my brother’s accident and the need for drivers education. I did the same my freshman year of high school and I continue to do so, to this day. Driving is a subject that hits close to home in my family and small community. My brother, Patryck, was known and loved by so many and we are keeping his memories alive in the brightest way possible.

From this, I hope and pray that families and their children will have a heart to heart moment and become highly educated on the importance of safe driving at all times. Not only do positive driving habits affect ourselves, but those around us on the road. Being bold and having the conversation about driving in its entirety will start a movement and encourage constructive behavior. In the end, we all hope for lives to be lived and not lives to be lost. This can simply be prevented by increasing the amount of drivers education, reoccurring practice, and awareness of the detrimental subject.