A CNA's Perspective on Safe Driving

When I was 14 years old, getting my driver's permit was a pretty big deal. In South Dakota, you can start learning to drive at 14, which is earlier than in most states. I took driver's ed, practiced with my parents and grandpa, and eventually got my restricted license so I could drive on my own. I was pretty excited about that. I had started working at McDonald's when I was 14, and before I could drive, my grandpa had to take me to work. Having my own way to get around meant I didn't have to depend on someone else every time I wanted to go somewhere.

I was mostly thinking about the freedom of driving back then. I probably wasn't thinking nearly enough about the responsibility that came with it. I've been driving for several years now, and thankfully, I've never had a ticket or been in an accident. I'm proud of that, but I also know having a clean driving record doesn't mean I'm a perfect driver. I can still remember my driver's ed teacher talking about his "defensive driving toolkit." Two things he really emphasized were keeping a safe following distance and avoiding distractions. I remember learning why it takes time to stop a car and how dangerous it can be to look away, even for a few seconds. At the time, I was mostly focused on passing driver's ed and getting my license. I understood what he was teaching us, but I don't think I fully appreciated why it mattered.

I think about those lessons a lot more now that I'm working in healthcare.

I'm currently a Patient Care Technician at Sanford Health, where I work on a surgical/trauma floor. I've helped care for people recovering from serious injuries, including those caused by car accidents. Some of the things I've seen have been pretty sad and scary. It's hard to see someone struggling with basic things most of us take for granted, especially knowing how quickly their life changed. I've also seen how accidents involving impaired driving can affect so many people. There are people who are seriously injured because someone else made a bad decision. There are families dealing with the possibility of losing someone they love. And there are people who have to live with knowing their actions hurt or even killed someone else. Those are some pretty tough situations to think about, especially when so many of them could have been prevented. It's one thing to hear about drunk driving or car accidents in driver's ed. It's another thing to help care for people dealing with the consequences.

I don't know all the circumstances behind every accident, and I know not every crash is caused by someone being careless. But working at the hospital has definitely changed how I think about driving. What might seem like a small decision behind the wheel can have a pretty big impact on someone else's life.

The scholarship information says approximately 34,000 people die in traffic accidents each year in America. That's a shocking number. And it doesn't even include all the people who survive but are left with serious injuries. Working at the hospital has made those numbers feel a lot more real to me.

I think driver's education is important because it gives young drivers a chance to learn good habits before they start driving on their own. Learning how to operate a car is one thing, but learning to watch for hazards, keep a safe distance, and avoid distractions is just as important. My teacher's defensive driving toolkit is something I still think about when I'm driving.

I also think reducing traffic deaths comes down to making better decisions. Wearing a seat belt, following speed limits, putting your phone away, and never driving under the influence are things we've all heard a hundred times. But people still take chances. Continuing to educate drivers, enforcing traffic laws, and reminding people about the consequences can help. Still, each of us has to decide how we're going to drive when no one is watching. I've been fortunate that I haven't experienced an accident myself. I also can't point to a particular experience with a friend or family member driving irresponsibly. But I've seen what happens after serious accidents, and that's been enough to make an impression on me.

I know there are things I can do to be a better driver. I can leave earlier so I'm not rushing, keep my phone out of reach, pay attention to changing road conditions, and remember to leave plenty of room between my car and the one ahead of me. South Dakota winters can make driving interesting, so slowing down and knowing when the roads aren't worth the risk are important, too. I can also help other people make better decisions. If I'm riding with someone who's driving too fast or looking at their phone, I can speak up. I can offer someone a ride if they shouldn't be driving, and I can be a good example for my siblings and friends. I don't have to lecture anyone, but I also shouldn't be afraid to say something when it matters.

I still love being able to jump in my car and go wherever I need to go. But after working on the trauma floor, I probably think a little differently about driving than I did when I was 14. I can't control every other driver on the road, but I can control the decisions I make. I can put my phone away, leave enough room between cars, slow down when the roads are bad, and never get behind the wheel impaired. I can also speak up when someone else is making a bad decision.

I will always remember my driver's ed teacher and his defensive driving toolkit. At 14, I thought he was just teaching us how to be better drivers so we could pass the test and get our licenses. Now, after seeing some of the patients and families on the trauma floor, I understand he was trying to teach us something a lot more important. I wish everyone could understand that without having to see what I've seen.