Plan Ahead or Arrive Dead

Plan Ahead or Arrive Dead

“Mom got a terrible text last night”

Those were the words my dad greeted us at the breakfast table with just this week. I looked around at my siblings, as a feeling of fear and confusion rose in my chest while I waited to hear what had happened. My mom explained with tears in her eyes that one of our family’s friends had died in a car crash due to distracted driving. It hurts me to think that within seconds, this healthy, joyful, and loving girl was dead. What is even worse about her death is that it was 100% preventable. Deaths due to driving are heartbreaking and are often completely preventable.

A 2015 study done by Ian Newman and Duane Shell at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that, “Young drivers who have not completed driver’s education are…24 percent more likely to be involved in a fatal or injury accident and 16 percent more likely to have an accident.” Driver’s education statistically reduces the number of deaths caused by driving. Driving is extremely dangerous, yet it is a large part of most people’s day to day life. Because of this, people often forget how truly dangerous driving is due to how comfortable they are with driving.

Drivers education is an important first step to reducing the number of deaths due to driving. If one is not taught how to drive, they will not be able to safely drive. It is imperative that drivers are educated on how to drive, as well as safe driving habits and how to avoid collisions.

It is also important to understand and be educated on the dangers of driving. The first time I ever drove, my dad warned me, “This is one of the most dangerous things you will ever do in your life.” This warning sombered me but it made me pay attention and focus on driving safely and attentively.

In order to reduce the number of deaths related to driving one must make deliberate decisions to drive safely and focused. One simple way to do this is to plan ahead or arrive dead. If one plans ahead, distracted driving can be avoided and lives can be saved. It is important to give yourself time to get to where you are going so you do not need to be rushed in any way and so that you can obey all traffic laws. Additionally, planning ahead is important so that you do not feel the need to do things that should have been taken care of earlier, including eating a meal, getting ready, responding to texts and emails, or answering calls. It is also important to plan ahead by knowing directions to where you are going so you are not distracted by GPS.

Finally, it is imperative to make a decision to not drive distracted. No amount of education can replace the resolve each individual needs to make to refrain from distractions and drive focused.