My Dog Wouldn’t Understand, and Neither Would Yours

Of all the things I have done in my life, the responsibility I accept
when I leave the house with a set of car keys in my hand is the
greatest. The consequences of one poor decision, or one moment of
distracted driving can be life changing or even life ending. Driver
education helps reduce the number of road deaths by teaching
defensive driving techniques, but also teaching us how to be aware of
our surroundings, and of the actions of other drivers on the road.

One of biggest problems I see in my area is drivers using cell
phones. Distracted driving is a huge problem, and I support a total
ban on cell phone use for all drivers. I also think that speeding is
a huge problem. I notice how few people actually drive the speed
limit, and don’t slow down when the weather is bad, or the roads
are icy.

I have personally been in two car accidents – one when I was very
small, that was related to speed and distracted driving combined, and
another one involving the driver following to closely to a car that
stopped suddenly. Looking back on both accidents, and several other
accidents my family members have been involved in, I feel strongly
that the majority of accidents are preventable.

I would like to think that my voice will always be strong enough to
speak up if I feel unsafe in a car that I am a passenger in, and that
I will be strong enough to stop anyone driving that shouldn’t get
behind the wheel. Afterall, that set of keys – and the actions
that follow can change the lives of innocent people. My dog would
never understand why I didn’t come home if I died in a car
accident, and neither would yours. So think about that, slow down,
pay attention and save a life.