“Drive Safe”

“Drive Safe”

Being able to drive is a privilege but being alive is a greater
privilege. Driving gives young people a newfound sense of freedom and
allows us to adventure. We are able to go wherever we want, whenever
we want. Thousands of memories are made in the car, whether it is
blasting music with the windows down or going for a late night drive,
just because we can. When we first get our license, it is easy to get
caught up in all of this excitement. However, it is crucial to
remember that with driving comes a huge responsibility to protect our
own and others’ lives.

Drivers ed is necessary for us to fully understand this
responsibility and learn the effects of driving while distracted or
impaired. The more informed we are on the rules of the road, the less
likely we are to make mistakes while driving that could lead to an
accident. It is also important to learn the statistics on fatal car
accidents to make drivers understand that there is a higher chance of
being in an accident than they may think. Drivers ed should
include more simulations on what it is like to be driving under the
influence or while distracted by a phone or other factors. The sense
of invincibility that “it will never happen to me” is just as
dangerous as it is common. 

On July 23rd, 2019, an 18 year old girl who had recently graduated
from my high school was killed in a car accident while driving under
the influence. As the news broke, everyone was in shock and
completely devastated. The whole community mourned her and everyone
was affected, no matter how close they were with her. It felt surreal
and as if it was a dream that we were all going to wake up from. It
was truly heart wrenching and so difficult to process that she was
really gone.

This tragic event was an eye opener for everyone at my school. We
realized how quickly our lives could be over and that it could happen
to anyone. Ever since that day, our attention to each other’s driving
habits has significantly increased. Now, every time one of my friends
leaves from hanging out together, we say “drive safe”. We hold
each other accountable for how we drive because we all know first
hand what the consequences are for not doing so. I believe that by
holding our loved ones accountable, not just in my town, but
everywhere, we can significantly decrease the amount of accidents
that occur. This means telling a friend to get off their phone while
they are driving, reminding each other to wear our seat belts, or
confiscating drunk peoples’ keys. The smallest reminders can go a
long way in increasing our awareness of how quickly life can be
stolen from us if we are not careful on the roads. A simple “drive
safe” can be the difference in a life.