That Could Have Been Me

Every year approximately 34,000 people die due to negligent driving. Whether someone is driving drunk, speeding, falling asleep at the wheel, or simply driving in the dark without headlights on, it is causing car crashes that can kill people. While some people get lucky and survive with barely a scratch, many are not so lucky. If everyone was required to take Driver’s Ed to receive and/or renew their license, the road would become safer, because more people would be informed of the true dangers of not driving defensively.

Just a few months ago, I experienced a car crash. I was driving early in the morning to marching band rehearsal and needed to make a left hand turn. I started to pull into the intersection, ready to turn when it was clear, and waited for one car to turn right before I could turn left. After they passed I looked up to see the light was yellow, then looked down the street one more time and then slowly began to turn, as there was nobody I could see. Next thing I knew, I heard a loud crunch and felt my car being dragged by another car. I had hit a car on their driver’s side. As I came to my senses by the smell of burning fuel, I unbuckled my seatbelt and ran to make sure they were ok. As I was calling 911, I was confused as to where this car had come from. I had looked multiple times before even beginning to turn and somehow I still hit this car. The only assumptions I have been able to come to is the car either did not have their headlights on or they pulled from the left turning lane and decided to speed through the intersection, so they did not have to wait through another light. As far as I can tell, I did everything I was supposed to. I looked multiple times, I had headlights on, and my blinker was clearly showing that I was attempting to turn. Luckily, because I had just begun turning, both me and the other driver got out of the accident with just bumps and bruises. Although neither of us was severely injured, my car had been totaled. To this day I still wish I knew where this person had come from. I simply just want to know how I managed to miss such a big object.

It is important that steps are taken to ensure that people are driving safely on the road. The law enforcement officers could enforce the use of headlights, not speeding through yellow lights, and not pulling out into the intersection and sitting so one can turn when the lights turn red. These steps alone can save hundreds of lives. Additionally, if everyone is required to take a defensive driving class, even those older than 18, the world could immediately become safer. Furthermore, a law could be implemented that requires people to take a defensive driving class, maybe like a couple hours or so, in order to get and renew a driver’s license. I mention defensive driving as a possible requirement because it is truly vital to safe driving. Those who take defensive driving are less likely to be involved in accidents. However, like me for example, this does not ensure they will never end up in an accident. A person can take defensive driving, but if other people do not, then the road is just as dangerous as if nobody took a defensive driving class. Defensive driving makes people aware of the true dangers of driving a car. Students at these classes are shown what happens to people who speed through intersections, drive through red lights, and even people who get run over by trains. These gory videos may seem overkill, but many students who complete these classes rarely see an accident. Thus, if everyone was required to take a defensive driving class in order to receive and renew their license, the world could become a safer place.

Alas, it is also my responsibility to ensure I am driving safely so that others can drive safely as well. I can ensure this by making sure I have plenty of time to make left and right-hand turns, not pulling into an intersection until I know I have plenty of time to turn, and making sure my headlights and blinkers are always used when necessary. Another way for me to ensure the safety of myself and others is to not speed through an intersection on a yellow light. I can also watch other cars with the idea of “they are gonna do something stupid.” If I have this thought in my mind, despite its mean demeanor, I can stay aware of the possible things a car could do around me. Being conscious of all these things will not only help me be safer on the road, but help everyone else be safer too.