1.3 Million Lives

1.3
Million Lives

Each
year about 1.3 million people around the world will pass away from
being involved in car accidents. This means about 3,500 will die
each day. These were the numbers drilled in my head in high school
as I sat through our annual Accident Prevention Assembly. Chatter
filled the auditorium and continued as we filed out the school into
our parking lot where a mock car accident had been assembled.
Slowly, the talking died down as we all observed what was happening.
Bodies of our peers lay still in the small broken car covered in fake
blood as a group of firefighters and EMTs rushed to get their bodies
out. I had never realized how long it took to get a person out of a
wrecked car and how, by the time they are finally out, their injuries
have worsened, or they were potentially already dead. It was a
terrifying thought that, those students just playing pretend could be
me or some of my close friends or family, simply because someone had
driven irresponsibly.

The
most common cause of car accidents is distracted driving, closely
followed by speeding and drunk driving. During our Assembly we were
also given the opportunity to participate in a video game simulation
of distracted driving. This was done by giving one a steering wheel,
gas pedal, and brake pedal that were connected to a screen
controlling a car. Periodically, the screen shifted downwards to
look at a phone while one read or texted a message. This was meant
to test how long one could go while consistently distracted driving
without causing an accident. The conclusion was that no one could go
without causing an accident at some point. Some happened sooner.
Some happened later, but no matter what they always happened.

Programs
like this and drivers ed go hand-in-hand in combating these
life or death situations by educating thousands on safe driving.
Through intensive classes and being able to drive with an instructor,
teens and adults can learn all the aspects of driving that could
potentially save lives. This is proven beneficial as many of those
who follow through with drivers ed have proven to be safer
drivers.

We
would all love to think that safe driving is as simple as telling
people to be safe and assuming people will just listen, but it is
not. Sometimes it means educating people on the consequences of
driving just as much as educating them on the benefits of driving.
It means sharing stories of those who suffered the consequences of
distracted driving and hope it will touch enough people to get them
to change. For some it means experiencing it. It also means
educating on the big and small information. Sometimes all it takes
is a reminder to put your seatbelt on or to put your phone down to
save a life. am lucky enough to have never lost someone close to me
from a car accident and I know that chances are, I will eventually,
but until then I would like to do everything in my power to keep
myself and those around me safe every time we enter a car. I will
also actively encourage drivers ed. As someone who attended
all the classes as a young 16-year old with just her permit, I can
proudly say I felt much more equipped to get behind a wheel of a car
and drive safely.

To
further this, I will implement all the ideas I mention above in my
everyday life, not only on others, but myself as well. I will turn
my phone off while driving. I will always wear my seatbelt when
others are not. I will remove distractions from my car. I will also
actively encourage drivers ed. And in doing this, I will save
lives.