Driver’s Safety is a Responsibility, Not a Given

“Look both ways after stopping at a stop sign”. “Don’t drive over the speed limit”; “Check your mirrors before switching lanes”; “Slow down at a yellow light; “Don’t text and drive”; “Don’t drink and drive”; and “Be aware of your surroundings”. These are commonly expressed phrases that everyone, including non-drivers, are familiar with; often reinforced by parents, extended relatives, and instructors. However, the more commonly known or used something is, the easier it is to take lightly or even for granted. Because one may understand these things and view them as “a given”, they often hold others to those same standards. This can perpetuate a dangerous mindset of others being safe and diligent on one’s behalf if they themselves don’t feel the need to do so. Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is, expectations from others, especially when it comes to driving, can be detrimental and oftentimes fatal.

Driver’s education is a necessary practice that not only encourages safety when it comes to driving one’s self, but it also applies to driving for others. But what does it mean to drive for others? It means that by taking the necessary precautions, not only are you ensuring your safety, you’re also ensuring the safety of other drivers. When looking both ways once you stop at a stop sign, you can prevent a possible collision from someone speeding on either side. While being within the speed limit you can correctly pace yourself with traffic and allow for sudden stops if needed. By checking your mirrors you can prevent side swiping any upcoming vehicle speeding past you in the lanes next to you. Instead of trying to beat the yellow light, you can allow for safe crossing at an intersection. By not texting while in control of the vehicle, you can be fully aware of those around you, whether they are inside of a car or not; the same applies for being under the influence of any substance. Instead of viewing this list of cause and effects as reminders, take them as responsibilities that ensure a safer journey to one’s destination.

I can recall many situations where I have been a passenger accompanying a driver who seems to take driving safety/education as a suggestion. During those experiences, I remember feeling helpless and trapped. The questions: “What if they’re going too fast to stop the car in time?; Do they care about what may happen to us?; Will I make it home?” often come to mind. Unfortunately, whenever I decide to address my concerns to them, I’m met with sarcastic and discerning comments that say I’m a pushover, a no-it-all, “scary”, or even a wimp. With these rude remarks, they are almost always followed by how experienced they are. These drivers feel that because they have been behind the wheel for so long and have yet to get into any trouble with how they drive, that this excuses their selfish and neglectful behavior. Although this has been my personal experience with a couple of drivers, I’m sure there are more who feel the same all over the country. This issue should not have to end in any accidents that cause people to be either hospitalized or dead for these kinds of drivers to change the way they view driver’s safety and education.

In Northwest Indiana last year, it seemed as if there were car accidents every day for many months. Unfortunately, most of these accidents were fatal with victims ranging from babies to the elderly. Within weeks, if not days from each other, many of my family members were involved in accidents that were either barely missed close calls or them having to need physical therapy. These moments instilled a great fear and anxiety within my heart that left me wondering daily if something tragic was going to happen. Toward the end of last year, my mother was involved in two accidents in less than two months. Both ending with the vehicle she was driving being totaled and the last one with her arriving at the hospital on a stretcher. The first accident was head-on and caused by the other driver being distracted by a phone. In the second accident she was hit on the side by a driver who was under the influence. Having already felt paranoid about the road safety of my family members, hearing this news left me with a feeling of shock and overwhelming fear. I felt helpless. Being hours away at school, while the rest of my family was back home trying to help my mom, is a feeling that I often pray to never experience again. I wanted nothing more than to be there and try to do anything I could to help her. Fortunately, she was able to pass all of her tests and was released from the hospital within a couple of hours. Hearing this news I was overcome with joy and relief knowing that my mother was going to be ok. However, shortly after I remember an extreme feeling of anger towards the other driver. His disregard towards other people’s lives, as well as his own, could’ve ended way worse than what it already was. To make matters worse, we later found out he was on his way to pick up his children.

Driver’s safety and education is something I value and continuously advocate to others around me. Understanding that my driving can cause or prevent fatal accidents from happening is a responsibility that I carry with me daily. Studying or completing a driver’s course should not be the only reason one takes the time to consider what it takes to be a safe and diligent driver. By making it our duty to ensure the safety of not only ourselves but others around us, we are able to decrease the rate of deadly accidents daily.