34,000 Reasons Why

In my home state, anyone under the age of eighteen is required to take and pass a drivers ed course before obtaining a license. Thus, when it came time for me to drive, that is what I did. However, I was not too thrilled. Throughout my childhood, there were numerous complaints about how boring, stupid, and a waste of time and money it was. Thus, that is what I was expecting. However, I soon came to a different conclusion, realizing the importance of it.

In the United States alone, 34,000 people die each year on average, as a result of driving. For comparison, in the War in Afghanistan, less than a total of 2,000 American soldiers have died. Driving deaths highly exceed that number, and it is because of texting, drunk driving, eating, taking your eyes off of the road, or mental exhaustion. Driver’s education reveals these statistics and distractions, giving us 34,000 reasons why it is important.

Although some crashes are unpreventable, most are, with two simple steps. First, remove all physical distractions, whether it is a phone, food, or a disruptive passenger. Nothing is more deserving of your attention than driving. When operating a vehicle, you must have complete focus, always driving defensively. Second, before getting behind the wheel, examine your mental capacity. Are you suffering from fatigue, did you ingest alcohol, or are you stressed and not thinking clearly? If you answer yes to any of these, set the keys down and do not drive. Whether you switch places with a responsible passenger, call an Uber, or stay at home, there are always options. Do not risk killing someone.

The first and only car accident that I have been in was a result of mental fatigue. It happened when I was younger, and I was doing errands with my mom and siblings. We had just finished and were on our way home when we came to a red light. As my mom watched for a break in the cross-traffic so she could make a right turn, she slowly edged her way forward. As she did this, we suddenly felt a hit from behind. It turned out to be a young, stressed, mentally drained Target employee who had just gotten off work. He assumed we were turning at that moment and therefore continued forward, when instead, my mom was only edging, preparing to advance. Although thankfully, there were no injuries or damage, that is not always the case.

There is an important decision to make everyone time you sit behind the wheel. Furthermore, it is also important to decide whether or not you should become a passenger, depending on the driver’s condition. You must encourage others to drive safely, even if that means refusing to enter the car or taking the keys away. Remember, your decisions do not only affect you. They affect everyone else around you. There are 34,000 reasons why you should drive with caution.