One Takes the Driver’s Seat: One Goes into Battle

One goes into battle worrying if they will make it through the night. If they will come home to their loved once waiting for their return. Waiting in the peach black night only to see a bright light and a thundering roar falling upon them.

One takes the driver’s seat unaware of what waits ahead. Consumed with distractions. The moon illuminates the road, wheels squill, a bright light approaches, a thundering roar, pure darkness.

Americans engage in an action that transports them home without knowing or acknowledging if they will make it. Driving has become an everyday routine. Wake up, go to work, school, or hang out repeating the process over and over again. The question, “will I arrive at my destination alive or unharmed?” does not cross the mind for some when engaging in driving. It has become a custom of everyday life.

As a young adult learning how to drive is exciting, adrenalin fills the body. They are thought how to properly drive a vehicle and what safety precautions should be taken into considerations. Every lesson learned whether in the classroom or hands-on is a tool to keep themselves safe as well as others. It is important to educate Americans and keep them informed on the importance of following driving/ road laws. However, as it becomes a custom drivers become confident and divert from properly driving with precaution and making decisions that will decide their faith. Some decide to take a red light, speed, use a phone, road rage, tailgate, even drive under the influence, and indulge in reckless driving. Others become victims of drivers’ decisions and end up with a fatal outcome. One decision can cause the loss of life and damage of property.

In the military soldiers are thought how to handle a weapon, they are educated on the safety precautions needed to be taken to keep themselves and others from getting hurt. Every six months soldiers receive Preliminary Marksmanship Instruction (PMI) to Re-enforce skill development and educate them on the danger of poorly handling a weapon. This training has reduced the number of weapon fatalities in the military. Steps taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving can be a yearly educational period to bring driver awareness to Americans. As a young adult, I would be shown ads and videos at school about the danger of reckless driving and driving under the influence. Now as an adult it’s less likely to come across one. With most Americans’ screen time increasing it’s the opportunity for DMV’s and other supporting agencies to increase their social media platform and educate Americans constantly. This can also be another step in providing awareness.

Through the years I’ve lost a few friends due to car accidents. It has become an eye and mind opener. It led to the questioning of what could I’ve done to change the outcome. Should I had called an Uber for them, should I had picked them up, and taken them home. Should I have informed them to put their seat belt on before starting to drive? It takes a toll on the consciousness, knowing I could have possibly saved their lives. I’ve learned that even though I couldn’t save their lives, I can start by educating my friends on the importance of making safe and responsible decisions. I can be the friend who teaches them the importance of putting a seatbelt on and driving responsibly. As a leader, I have taken the initiative to educate and inform my subordinates on the importance of keeping themselves safe on the road as well as others. I provide resources and information to reduce the possibility of an accident.

To become a safer driver, one must refer to the basics, putting on a seatbelt, adjusting the seat, all mirror to best assist when driving, reducing distractions, no texting, and driving or picking up a call, using turning signals, and staying calm and collected in the road. Also stay aware of surrounding vehicles and debris that may be on the road, drive the speed limit, and most importantly driving sober.

In war, one goes into battle educated and aware of the mission. Acknowledging what is at stake and what the end goal is. Always with their guard up. When driving one is educated and aware of their destination. The difference between both is that one is careless and the other is not. The mission is to assist Americans in caring for the lives of others and themselves when driving. To protect each other so every single American can make it home safely through proper driving education and awareness.

One goes into battle worrying if they will make it through the night if they will come home to their loved ones waiting for their return. A gush of wind exits the plain, sees their loved one’s smile, the service member walks towards them. “I made it home”.

One takes the driver’s seat unaware of what waits ahead. Takes all actions necessary to ensure the safety of all, the moon illuminates the road, a gush of wind, they arrive home safe. “We are home”.