Alert Today – Alive Tomorrow

Driver education provides the information, skills, and attitudes needed to be a safe and responsible driver. Making Driver’s Education a required course to graduate would be a start at reducing the number of deaths related to driving. Students would be enrolled in a Driver’s Education class for a full year or a semester where they will have to take quizzes and tests to make sure they understand the information. If the course material is not passed by the time you get your license then the school should not issue a parking pass to the student. This would reduce the number of accidents that happen on campus or on the way to school.

As for people outside of school, technology can be a blessing and a curse. Technology is becoming more advanced by the day and I hope that one day we can use these advancements in cars. There are already ways to prevent cell phone use while driving, but I believe that with the technology available to us we can make driving even safer. For example, the car will not start if every person’s seat belts are not on, including the people in the back. I do not understand why seat belt sensors have not been added to the backseats of more cars. Wearing a seat belt can save your life and it is so simple to do. No one can force people to learn about driver’s safety, however implementing new technology in cars can enforce safety among the passengers.

I will never forget receiving a text message in the middle of dance team practice stating that five of my friends had been in a horrible car accident. My heart felt like it was pulsing in my throat and instant panic set in. At the moment I had no details of what happened, I did not know who was in the accident and whether they were still alive. All I heard was that the car had flipped, one of them got airlifted, and that no one really knew the details besides the people in the car. Later on that night people started saying the driver was speeding or he lost control of the car or that one of them might not make it. The night of the wreck felt like the longest night of my life because the rumors were getting out of hand and I did not really know what was real and what was not.

The next day I heard from one of the passengers that the driver had been going double the speed limit in the pouring rain with six people packed into a small sedan. Some of the passengers had their seatbelts on, while others were just crammed in the back on top of each other. When I heard that the driver had been driving irresponsibly I was very disappointed, but unfortunately not surprised. It is not uncommon for teenagers to speed whether it is raining, snowing, or completely dark outside. Last year more than ten of my friends got into car accidents because of speeding or being distracted by their cell phones. It terrifies me how quick someone’s life can change just by looking at a text or hitting a slick spot in the road.

My high school is very small and I only have about seventy kids in my grade. I have been in school with the same people my whole life and knowing that they drive irresponsibly terrifies me every day. I never want to receive a text stating that there has been another car accident, but this time it took the life of someone I know and love. Last year our school resource officer put together countless presentations to try and stress the importance of safe driving, but still no one listens. I am worried that nothing will change for these irresponsible drivers because they believe they are in complete control of everything around them.

Every time I get in my car I put my cell phone on do not disturb and make sure that it is out of reach. Just like any other teenager, I am tempted to check my Snapchat after I see a notification or quickly answer a text whenever I see my phone light up. I have learned that placing my phone out of sight reduces the urge to reach for my cell phone and keeps my focus on what lies ahead of me rather than on a screen. My radio is also never too loud to where I cannot hear what is happening around me. While driving you are not only responsible for your vehicle, but also for everyone around you. Paying attention to your surroundings could help you avoid countless wrecks that are caused by another driver. Unfortunately, there are hundreds of people that text and drive that cause countless wrecks, but if you are paying attention there is a higher chance that you can avoid being involved in the collision.

Every time I get in the car with a friend I make sure to wear my seatbelt, make sure everyone else has one on as well, and stress my concerns about speeding. If you ever find yourself in a dangerous situation while riding with someone else, tell the driver your concerns and ask for them to be more responsible. If they are texting, offer to take their phone and do it for them so they are not putting themselves and the other passengers at risk. I have told a majority of my friends that I will not be riding with them if they choose to speed or be distracted while driving. Hold the driver accountable to their irresponsible behavior and make it known to them that they are endangering the lives of everyone around them. A lot of times people do not realize that they are responsible for every life in the car with them. Once the driver realizes that the passengers are trusting them with their life and counting on them to make the responsible decision, their behavior will improve.

Irresponsible driving is a major issue, especially amongst teenagers and inexperienced drivers. Making a drivers safety course mandatory in all schools is one step in the right direction, along with creating features in cars that do not allow cell phone use. Oftentimes people do not stop driving irresponsibly until they are in an accident or witness one. Most people believe that it cannot happen to them because they are “experienced” or “paying attention,” but in reality the driver does not control the weather and the other drivers around them. Stressing the importance of driver safety can only do so much. If you know of a friend that is being irresponsible, bring it to their attention and hold them accountable to their actions.