Always Look Twice

Always Look Twice

Every single day, drivers all over America put themselves and others at risk, all by performing selfish tasks such as speeding, using a cell phone while behind the wheel, driving under an influence, or even trying to complete other tasks like eating or putting on makeup, which all divert a driver’s attention from the road. In the busy world that we live in, it is of dire importance to reflect on and remember that your life and the surrounding ones are far more important than being 5 minutes late, responding to any text, putting on lipstick, looking for the napkin in the bottom of a fast food bag, or carelessly not paying attention. We are all guilty of doing one or more of these things; however, we are the only ones who can make a difference in lowering the amount of accidents we see on our roadways by refraining from any task that takes our attention off of the road, keeping our attention primarily on operating our vehicles, and ensuring our new drivers are receiving a quality driver education.

I will never forget the thrill of turning fifteen and finally being able to get my learners permit. The feeling was even more exciting than being a five-year-old on Christmas morning. Of course, to gain a piece of paper that stated I was legally able to drive under the supervision of an adult, I had to attend drivers ed courses. I didn’t understand why my parents made me attend the actual classes instead of completing it through an online program like my friends did; however, after hearing the horror stories throughout my high school of crashes from not paying attention or not knowing how to yield to someone, I completely understand why attending proper drivers education should be a topic that is heavily stressed on parents and their teenagers who are soon to be behind the wheel. The whole point of driver’s education is to teach new and upcoming drivers how to safely and responsibly operate a vehicle on all roadways to prevent accidents. Being a life or death matter, I wondered, why would parents not want their children to receive a quality drivers education experience?

After pondering on the subject, I came to three conclusions. First, I realized they probably want their child to receive the correct driver’s education, but monetarily, they might not be able to provide them with it. The world we live in today is extremely expensive, and a vast number of households involve multiple children and single parents, who can’t always afford the extra expense. Second, I tossed around the idea that the parents of children who are of age to attend driver’s education, might not be available to take them to the courses, as their occupation or familial responsibilities might prevent them from doing so. Third, I realized that a lot of drivers on the road today, do not care, or do not have the proper driver’s education themselves, therefore, they do not see a difference in which kind of drivers education their child takes part in.

After noting these three possible reasons for parents refraining from allowing their child to receive proper drivers education, I began to think about how it could be made possible for more teenagers to be able to take adequate drivers education courses and how to promote safe driving. The answer I arrived at is simple. All state funded public high schools should offer a free or reduced cost driver education course for all students. By doing so, all students would have the same advantage to a proper drivers education, with cost hopefully not being too much of a determining factor, all while receiving quality lessons on responsible driving. If these are the citizens we are shaping to place on our roadways, why wouldn’t we want them to know how to drive safely, properly, and responsibly, while also having a comprehension of the impact that their actions can make as a result of irresponsible driving? One split second can determine if you are in between the lines, or fighting to keep the lines from going flat on a heart monitor. As far as my plan for promoting safe driving, why can’t we take advantage of social media platforms and make safe driving cool?

Since I was little, my dad has owned a white 2003 Chevrolet 2500hd crew cab that I have absolutely adored. He promised me when I was older that it could be my first vehicle. I remember my mom rushing into my room telling me to get ready, that we had to leave quickly, and it was an emergency. I wasn’t aware of what was happening, but I was concerned, as that same morning, my dad had left the house in the Chevrolet pulling a utility trailer to help a family friend move out of his home. We got in my mom’s car and rushed to the accident. On the way there, I noticed how foggy it was, and I felt my heart sink to the bottom of my stomach as I could only think about what could be happening. What seemed like the longest fifteen-minute car ride ever came to a conclusion when I saw all sorts of flashing lights. In the middle of the chaos, I saw my dad and I rushed to give him a giant hug. I felt relieved that he was okay; then, I saw the mangled truck.

In a ditch it sat, the backend of the completely ripped out from underneath it, the bed practically compacted, and the trailer attached completely smashed. A bystander who had witnessed the accident stopped to call first responders and assist in first aid if necessary. He had told my dad that he had no idea how my dad didn’t flip the truck, as he skidded into the ditch that sharply dropped off the road. I started to cry, and I said, “Daddy, are they going to fix it?” This was the first time I had ever heard the word totaled, and I felt heartbroken when I was told the definition. That foggy morning, a driver in a hurry operating an SUV didn’t look twice when proceeding from a complete stop, onto a 65-mile per hour highway. Over the hill came my dad, not wearing a seatbelt, as the SUV plowed my dad and my future first vehicle. Today, I operate that same Chevrolet truck that my dad promised me, as by the grace of God my dad and the other driver were not injured, and they were able to fix that Chevrolet. When I hit the unlock button and grab the handle, I keep that day in the back of my mind. When I put my key in my ignition, I remind myself to put on my seatbelt, and I tell myself “always look twice.”