Drive Safe

Before I knew how to drive, my life was impacted by distracted driving in a way that will stay with me forever. My grandfather on my dad’s side, Papa, was killed due to a drunk driver who had no business being on the road. Papa was an avid bicycle rider and was very safe and aware to follow the rules of the road when he was riding. He was a pastor of a local church and lived a great life and had a large family who loved him dearly. One Monday afternoon, that changed. Papa was riding his bicycle down a main road near his home and a truck with a careless and confused drunk driver got to close and ran him down. The paramedics and emergency personnel said that my Papa died instantly and there would not have been much knowledge as to what happened because of the circumstances regarding the accident. The accident occurred while I was at school, and I was told a little later that afternoon before many of the details were even confirmed. I remember being very confused, angry, and sad and wondering why this would happen and how could someone be allowed to drive in that condition. I remember being told that the man who was driving was drunk and didn’t even realize what day it was. The only reason anyone even knew what had happened was that someone following a few cars behind my Papa and this man saw the accident and called 911 as the man continued to drive away after he hit him and the bicycle went flying into the ditch. The person who saw the accident followed the truck for over 2 miles while they stayed on the phone with the 911 operator to help get the police to his exact location. The police tracked him down and immediately realized he was too drunk to even know what he had just done. They took him back to the scene of the accident and he wasn’t even aware of the devastation he would cause to our family.

A few years later, when I turned 16, I studied and passed my driver’s test with no problem. I learned all the rules about not driving while distracted and how I am in control of my decisions when I am driving. I am reminded to be careful and cautious and to not drive while distracted. When I see a bicycle rider or someone walking along the side of the road, I become even more aware of my driving so that I do not become distracted. I have seen how one small decision could change someone else’s future and their future generations to come. Driver education programs are very important when someone is learning how to drive. The program can help every new driver be more aware of their surroundings which will reduce the number of deaths that will occur because people will be more knowledgeable about what can happen when you drive distracted. I know that driver education courses can be taken to help reduce insurance cost and this is a great way to encourage drivers to stay up-to-date on the current information as well as continually be reminded about safe driving practices.

Today people are more distracted than ever while driving. Whether it be messing with the radio, figuring out your Bluetooth, answering a call or texting, people are constantly tempted to take their eyes off the road. I have also seen accidents occur right outside of my school campus because students are riding in the car together and the driver is so easily distracted by so many things. Last year, an accident occurred while students were riding back to campus after being only one mile away to get a quick snack after school. As they drove back to campus, the students in the back seat were loud and distracting and the driver was unaware of her speed. She came up over a small hill and lost control of the car and slammed into a nearby tree. While she was uninjured, the student in the passenger seat received numerous injuries. The car was so damaged on that side, he had to be cut out of the car and immediately rushed to the hospital. It took a long time for him to recover, and I would bet that he still thinks about that accident often since he must drive passed that same spot every day to get to school. Distracted driving not only affects you but can also affect everyone in the car with you, around you and even the families of those in the car and around you. It is not uncommon to see people doing so many things to distract them from safe driving. When I am tempted to do any of these things, while I am driving, I am reminded of how one decision changed my family’s future. By having rules that help enforce certain requirements for new drivers, these steps could be helpful in keeping people safe behind the wheel.

In conclusion, I think it is very important to talk about how distracted driving can be devastating and how drivers of all ages need to be aware of the precautions that should be taken before getting behind the wheel. Unfortunately, many people think they are being careful while they are driving and that something would never happen to them or anyone in their family. I hope that people will continue to stay active, alert and aware while driving so that the roads can remain a safe place to be.