In the Blink of An Eye

Going to a funeral is one of the most difficult things a person can do. Going to a funeral when a loved one’s death could have been prevented if not for someone else’s reckless driving is unbearable. Two years ago, this was the case for me, when a fatal accident caused the death of a loved one, and that loved one’s spouse having to fight through extensive surgery. Watching my younger cousins go through that deep of a loss, a loss they could not have even understood fully, was heart wrenching. I am reminded of this experience every time I get into a car.

Perhaps a more substantial drivers ed would not have prevented the loss that my family went through, however, if it could prevent the death of someone else’s loved one in my situation, it would be worth it. A life can be lost in the blink of an eye when someone is negligent, whether meaning to be or not. Being educated on drunk driving, and texting and driving could prevent countless deaths, but there are still many other ways one can drive irresponsibly. Even just knowing when to get maintenance on your vehicle or knowing when to take breaks on road trips can be crucial. All it takes is one blink, to cause irreparable damage to someone else.

Preventing deaths related to driving can seem like common sense, but often, the cautionary tales ingrained into our brains since birth are ignored. There are many ways to prevent car accidents, and to prevent someone’s family from going through the same loss as I did. Perhaps the easiest thing someone can do in their own life, is be educated. If you need to blast music or air conditioning to stay awake, you need a break, as your fatigue can cause an accident in the blink of an eye. One glance at your phone or even at the radio can be catastrophic. Laws against texting and driving and intoxicated driving have helped somewhat, but there are still numerous deaths every year due to negligence while driving. Drivers ed can also be helpful when knowing how to deal with another driver’s road rage.

Although I have never been in a car accident myself, I know how serious they can be. It’s for this reason that when I see a friend driving irresponsibly, I stand up to them and tell them to focus on driving, not texting a girl back or changing the song on their phone. To be a better and safer driver, speak up when you notice a family member or friend driving irresponsibly. Educate yourself and others on the dangers of distracted and intoxicated driving.Understand that every driver on the road is a person just like you, and has a story and a family who loves them whom you know nothing about. And above all, remember that irresponsible driving can cause irreversible damage you’ll regret for the rest of your life, in the blink of an eye.