Dear drivers, please reconsider

In the United States alone, almost 9.2 million motor vehicles were produced in 2021. In the same year, around 80 million vehicles were produced globally, an over 3% increase compared to the previous year. Understanding the demand behind this huge supply of cars is enough for one to infer how popular and customary driving is. Unfortunately, like things that are deemed usual and common, safety precautions and concerns are not cared for. Diving has become as habitual as brushing your teeth, which takes little to no consideration. This has led to thousands of families losing loved ones per year, and on one night I could’ve been added to that number.

It is a sad reality that driving can cost you your life. It is vital, therefore, for drivers to acquire knowledge that safeguards both them and others on the road. Driver’s Education is a course that teaches new drivers motor vehicle law and how to operate a motor vehicle in a safe, proper, and responsible way. It also includes training students on how to apply their new knowledge to the road. The minimum students are required to be taught is how to stop and start on hills and grades, back-up, park, and drive in traffic and on the open highway. This is an asset to every driver, as it is often the lack of this knowledge that causes accidents. These days most people learn about driving from YouTube and even apps. Some drivers care more about cruise control and vibing to music than spatial awareness and being able to adapt to varying conditions. There is no actual desire to learn to be a good driver, and I believe this is because people are not aware of the damage irresponsible driving can cause. They drive however they want because they’re confident they’ll be fine but fail to consider others. They drive above or way under the speed limit, ignore traffic signs and stop signs, and always claim the right of way for the benefit of themselves. Just basic selfless consideration can help to reduce the number of deaths by collision.

My car accident happened around 2015 and I still see the effects of it almost every day. It was the night when my family and I were returning home after spending the day at a roller-skating rink. My father drove a used red 1998 Honda Accord Coupe. My mother was in the passenger seat, and my younger sister and older brother were beside me in the back. That night was a night better than most because we had fun together and were still laughing and talking about it on the ride home. On the way, my father made a stop at his friend’s house which was in a lane intersecting the lonely main road of the community. When we were leaving, turning onto the main road, I saw a white car in the distance. My father drove out and then I looked out the window and saw the car right in front of me. In an inhale, our car started spinning and when it stopped I saw the passenger door caved in on my mother, glass shattered and bright white and yellow lights outside. They removed the door and we got rushed to the hospital. Thankfully everyone was okay, but my mother stayed in the hospital for a while because she took the brunt of the crash. Since that night, my mother hardly sits in the front passenger seat.

Humans are emotional beings. A person cannot be fully persuaded if their emotions aren’t appealed to. Yes, it is important to always be certain your vehicle is in proper working condition, but I also think drivers need to be taught of the heartbreaking things that happen when road laws aren’t followed. It is already known that accidents happen due to poor infrastructure, bad weather and objects on the road, but it is not mentioned enough that when we drive, we are responsible for the safety of those around us. Though not all accidents happen with the driver at fault, there needs to be a realization of the horrors that can happen to others when we exhibit aggressive driving behaviors like tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, driving while drunk, distracted and fatigue, blocking cars attempting to pass or change lanes, speeding in heavy traffic and community roads etc. We do not always think rationally and sometimes our judgments are unsound, so it is important to have an emotional understanding of the risks present when we ignore road regulations.

Drivers are entrusted with the lives of their mortal brothers and sisters on the road. Do not take this responsibility lightly. If we don’t take the necessary steps to ensure good and safe driving and underline the consequences that can follow reckless driving, we run into the risk of taking another person’s life. Tragedies that could have been avoided are the hardest to mourn. Do not let your negligence and ignorance steal someone’s future and subject the bereaved to lamentation.