Recklessness Behind the Wheel

Last year the unimaginable happened, my mom was in a car accident. It was difficult for me to comprehend at the time because I didn’t know if she was okay, I wasn’t able to be with her. She eventually was able to call me, but I just didn’t know what to say or do. I couldn’t be there for her when she needed me, and I could tell she was still in shock. I couldn’t help her, the only thing that truly kept me from panicking was knowing that she wasn’t injured. Fortunately, she wasn’t injured, but it wasn’t a little bump. Later on, we were told that our car was considered a total loss, the damage to the car was that serious. The reason my mom wasn’t so significantly injured is because the driver hit my mom’s passenger side while she was the only one in the car. It could’ve been so much worse. Still, do you know, the why? Why, my mom was in a car accident? It was through no fault of her own, she followed all the rules, did everything right, but it means absolutely nothing when other drivers don’t do the same. She was hit because the driver of the other car ran a red light, all because she was on her phone. I was so angry because it felt so idiotic, really how long does it take to for you to realize that you shouldn’t be on your phone, that your about to crash into someone, and that it’s all your fault. 

It doesn’t have to be this way though, not one bit. Sure, we can’t stop every single car accident everywhere, but there are steps people can take to reduce the number of accidents and deaths related to driving starting with driver education. Knowing what it takes to be a safe driver isn’t an impossibility. It’s not something that you just can’t do, it’s you choosing not to be a safe driver and putting everyone else on the road at risk. They make the effort to be safe so show them the same courtesy. 

Start with the obvious: make sure to get your car serviced periodically so your car is always in the best condition possible, drive beginning with a decent amount of gas, set up your car to optimal status (mirrors, seat, etc.), make sure everyone has their seatbelt on before driving, and don’t go over the maximum number of people in your car. Please don’t be dumb or irresponsible, do not under any circumstance get into the driver’s seat when you’re intoxicated. I stress this because for some reason it remains a problem, when it can be easily rectified, absolutely no driving when you’re drinking or doing drugs. Don’t multitask, you’re not as good as you think you are, meaning no attempting to do your make-up when driving, don’t reach for something you clearly can’t, and don’t try to eat when you can’t. Don’t forget this one, it’s important: NO phones!  Use your signal lights, it makes communicating with drivers so much easier. Follow the signs they’re there to warn and notify you so stop when there’s a stop sign, be on the lookout for a train when there’s a railroad crossing sign. Put your hazard lights on when there’s an emergency. Pull over when something is wrong with your car or pull over to the right when you see and hear an ambulance, firetruck, or police. Road rage is something I’m pretty sure we’ve all experienced at one point or another, the key is to take a breath because this is where mistakes and accidents happen, and no one wants that. A very crucial thing when driving is to remain aware of your surroundings, the potential car behind you, the pedestrian on your left, the oncoming traffic. Make sure you don’t zone out and don’t drive when you know you’re sleepy. I know this feels a bit annoying telling you all this, maybe you know it already, I’m not telling you to nag at you. These rules exist for a reason to keep you and everyone out on the road safe. I know I will follow these rules and spread this information to everyone possible so that more and more people don’t make unnecessary and avoidable mistakes.

I beg of you don’t be dumb, use common sense there’s so many different ways driving could go horribly wrong, but some of which can be preventable if you just put in just a little more effort towards being a safe driver. If you choose not to, fine it’s your choice, but don’t drive. There are other modes of transportation, it’s just not fair to everyone else out and about on the road who take precautions, who do everything in their power to be a safe driver and have to pay for your mistake. It’s not worth it. If you make that choice to drive out there and something happens, you hurt someone or potentially kill someone. Will you be able to live with the consequences of that? I know I couldn’t.