The Driver’s Seat

Shymia Hill

The Driver’s Seat

Drivers ed is essential to reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving. Learning and specifying on the dangers of things like distracted driving can help tremendously. In the drivers ed courses here in Michigan, we learn how to drive and the road rules, but not much on the other laws and tips that could help people become safe drivers. In fact, in 2018, about 33% of driving-related accidents were due to distracted driving; 53% of which were fatal, 25% resulted in injury, and 22% resulted in property damage. I believe adding in more curriculum on distracted driving, and its effects could reduce the number of driving-related deaths and injuries.

Unfortunately, it took me to get into a car accident myself to understand the importance of staying focused while driving. One night, as I was leaving the grocery store, I got into a car accident. The night was pouring with rain, and I was driving in the passing lane (far left) where pools of water had collected. As a result of the road conditions and obvious hydroplaning, I reduced my speed and kept both hands on the wheel to maintain control. After about five minutes, my mind began to wander. There was nothing that prompted this; it just happened. Within seconds, my car started to spin, after the back of the car hit the cement wall on the right-hand side and began spinning again, my mind finally snapped back to reality! I instantly slammed on the brakes and turned the wheel, spinning out of control, until I finally drove into the cement wall on the left side of the freeway. My car was totaled, and I was pretty shaken up, however, no one was hurt. I took this opportunity to educate myself on distracted driving and have gotten into posting awareness on social media.