Keep Your Eyes on The Road

Keep Your Eyes on The Road

I was in a car accident. It was summer, and my friends and I were coming back home from the beach. I was in the passenger seat, while my friend was driving me home. She did everything right; she stopped, checked for anyone coming and put on her signal before making a turn. I casually glanced at my window when I saw a car speeding towards us on my side. I screamed at my friend to move the car out of the way, but it was too late as the car slammed into us and the airbags deployed.

Having knowledge behind the wheel can save oneself and others from losing someone precious in their life. The people in the car who experienced the accident with me are sisters, brothers, and someone’s child. Additionally, a driver’s knowledge saves others from untold emotional trauma. To this day, I relive the trauma when I’m driving. That is why I remember each time I am driving that you drive not only for yourself but for others. Nearly forty thousand people die every year in the U.S because of car crashes and almost one hundred people die per day in an accident. When you have knowledge of what to do in a situation that is power you can use to save a life. That is why we have driver education to help us and others to stay safe and reduce the number of deaths.

After my accident, I try my best to spread awareness to others about what they should do when driving. I talk to friends and family about what they should and should not do before going behind the wheel. I ask them to also share these rules with others. I’ve learned through these experiences that it’s best to talk to people face to face as it creates a more intimate atmosphere and allows others to take one’s words more seriously. Driving is no joke, and it is time for others to realize this fact.

Now, I’ll tell you the same rules to keep in mind when you want to be more cautious as a driver and keep the road safe. When driving, remember to be mindful of others and have no distractions. Thousands of people are dying or being injured because drivers are not paying attention to their surroundings. In fact, half of the car accidents in the U.S are caused by drivers being distracted by phones. To ensure everyone’s safety remember to silence your phone, decrease the radio volume, check your mirrors, or pull to the side of the road if necessary. As a driver, one’s responsibility is to pay attention to one’s surroundings in case of any possible danger. You must keep your eyes on the road.

This leads us to the next rule. Something people do not often talk about enough is keeping your eyes out for pedestrians and road signs when driving. The same year of my accident, several drivers ignored the stop sign and nearly hit me as I crossed the street multiple times. Road signs are not decoration and must be followed. Don’t press the gas when turning corners or because the streets are empty. It’s reckless and will cause harm to others.

Another rule to follow is not to drink if you plan to drive. Too many people are either pulled over or cause an accident behind the wheel because of alcohol. In the passenger seat, I have nearly been involved in car accidents because people have not watched how much they drink before going behind the wheel. Their perceptions are altered, their reaction is slowed down. I have seen others drifting off course and crashing off the road from drunk driving. Only when knowing you are sitting on the passenger side, should you consider drinking.

The last rule is a topic less talked about than the other rules. Before driving make sure you are well rested. There is a rule that advises drivers to blink when driving because keeping your eyes on the road can make you drowsy. This advice does not always work for sleep-deprived drivers as they may fall asleep anyway and cause accidents. I have seen plenty as they drive loosely from a lack of sleep. This may seem like a low expectation but there are states that consider it reckless endangerment for drowsy drivers to cause an accident, so be careful and have plenty of rest before going on the road.

We need to share with each other our experiences on the road and speak up about the damages that being reckless on the road can cause, so we can all strive together to have a safer road. These rules I have shared are rules I also keep in mind when I drive. Thank you for the time you gave to read my essay and the opportunity to share my experiences with you.