For Our Loved Ones

The
concept of driver safety is one so common and fundamental in today’s
society that it almost seems routine or cliché. But, the reality is
that the countless road signs, advertisements, and organizations
supporting driver safety are implemented for a reason. Driver
education began in order to promote safety on the roads and because
of it, countless lives are saved every day. In addition to
understanding common road signs and driving techniques, driver
education provides a deep understanding of the importance of safe
practices and sets standards for future drivers. Without this
program, the standards for driving would be much lower and the
traffic accidents would skyrocket, resulting in higher fatality rates
on the roads.

A
few months ago, I was driving two cars behind a terrifying accident
that resulted in a 3 year old girl’s head being pushed through the
dashboard. The driver of the other car fled the scene, and the only
other people nearby were the mother holding her daughter in her arms,
the man in the car in front of me, and myself. I am a lifeguard and
ended up being the only person with first aid training; I had to wrap
her bloody head in a blanket from my car. The experience of seeing
the trauma inflicted on this little girl and her mother as a result
of negligent driving and the horrific injuries they endured is one
that I think about every day and will stay with me forever.

As
a result of this experience, I have become a much safer driver. I
always put my phone away as soon as I turn the car on, and always
make sure all the passengers I am driving have their seat belts on.
Yet, not everyone around me practices it and this is something that
will likely continue to happen my whole life. As someone who is
passionate about safety on the roads, I have begun reminding people
of the importance whenever I am around unsafe practices. While right
now it may seem annoying or embarrassing to do so, it will always be
worth it if it saves a life. If more and more people begin to
emphasize the importance of driver safety among their peers, the norm
will shift. The new “cool” needs to be obeying laws and
practicing safe driving. If everyone passionate about this topic
speaks up not only through ads and billboards, but with their
friends, peers, coworkers, the pressure to remain silent on the
matters will begin to fade as more and more people give each other
friendly reminders. The slightest changes can make the biggest
differences. So, whether it means offering to text someone for a
friend driving or taking separate cars rather than double buckling,
the more and the sooner that we start changing the norms, the sooner
we can create an even safer traffic environment for ourselves and our
loved ones.