The Road That Lies Ahead

In most parts of
the country, driving a vehicle is a necessity. From getting groceries
to going to school or work, the need to get into a car and drive is
undoubtedly something that shapes American society. However, the
importance of driving safely is something that seems to be lost on
many. This can likely be attributed to a lack of experience,
knowledge about safe driving habits, or both. Education on the
subject, even if delivered in a casual context, such as a simple
nudge to your friend asking them not to text and drive, is a small
step that could lead to saving lives. I firmly believe that knowledge
is power- and learning about how to be a safe driver instills not
only a sense of responsibility, but also confidence knowing that you
can be the difference between someone’s life or death.

Educating
yourself on how to improve your driving skills is not incredibly
difficult, especially if you’re willing to commit the time to
learning. Understanding what it takes to be a better driver is
sometimes more than just driving defensively and looking out for the
other guy. Sometimes, it is necessary to take care of yourself, such
as maintaining your car and always wearing your seatbelt. Both steps,
whether they be oriented on others or yourself, are important
concepts that can be critical to saving lives.

Knowing how to
drive safely is something that is particularly important to me. In
December of 2018, I was arriving into town after a two-hour drive,
coming home from seeing my parents for the holiday break. However,
that day, the road I had driven down dozens of times became the scene
of an experience that would change my life. A driver to the left of
me quickly pulled out in front of four lanes of traffic, cutting me
off to the point where I had no choice but to veer off the road. I
hit a telephone pole headfirst while the driver slammed the gas and
drove off into the distance. Although I believe that the driver who
caused my accident was more concerned with the potential consequences
of what he had done, had he received proper driving knowledge to
begin with, it may have never happened. You can do everything
correctly- but sometimes impactful moments like those are caused by
others, who are unaware of the potential impacts of their actions.

The world is by
no means a perfect place, but that doesn’t mean we can’t help
others wherever we can. In our attempts to do so, we can change
lives. By serving as an example of a good driver, hopefully others
will take notice and subconsciously apply those safety tips to their
own lives as well.