I was fifteen years old, and I felt too young to be sitting behind the wheel of a piece of machinery that was capable of going 100mph. My instructor was in the passenger seat next to me. My sweaty palms were gripping the steering wheel. My instructor had told me to turn left, and I was trying. My foot was on the gas. I had the wheel turned, but the car was not moving. I glanced at my instructor, who had a sly smile on his face. He pointed to the left. There was a sign that read: “One Way” with an arrow pointing to the right. I could not turn down that street. My cheeks burned with embarrassment as he maintained his pressure on the passenger-side brake.
At eighteen years old, I am grateful for this lesson. It taught me to always pay attention. Throughout driver’s training, I learned additional life lessons that should never be learned from a tragedy. Unfortunately, these lessons are learned from tragedies. Around 34,000 people die every year in driving-related incidents. 8,000 people died in the American Revolutionary War. Those 8,000 sacrifices built a nation. The 34,000 lives claimed by driving-related accidents every year are not building a nation-they are tearing it down. With the help of effective driver’s training, this number can be reduced. We need to make sure that every driver takes driver’s education classes. Every individual needs to have one-on-one time with a licensed driving instructor. As stated previously, my driving instructor was able to teach me valuable lessons that others had to learn the hard way. Don’t learn the hard way. Learn in a classroom. Learn under supervision.
I have not been in any major car accidents. However, I have witnessed the aftermath of one. At the time, I was not old enough to drive. I was barely old enough to ride in the front seat. I remember riding past the totaled car. The driver had rolled it. He was laying on the ground, surrounded by EMTs and first-responders. My eyes had been wide with fear and shock. I was overcome with emotion, and my mom could sense it. She squeezed my hand and gave me a small smile.
As a nation, we need to take the appropriate steps to reduce the number of deaths caused by unsafe driving. As a nation, we need to become better drivers. We need to ensure the safety of those around us. Various steps can be taken to prevent driving-related deaths.
The first step is prevention. We need to educate new drivers, as well as seasoned drivers. We need to make sure every driver knows how to deal with road-rage incidents. We should practice defensive driving. If an individual wants to get their driver’s license, they need to know the rules. They need to be familiar with real-life situations. We need to provide drivers with experience, so they do not have to learn the hard way. We need to stress the importance of wearing seat belts.
The second step is reducing distracted driving. Food, drinks, passengers, phones, radios, and “zoning out” play a major role in crashes. Never drive under the influence of alcohol, or any illegal substance. Turn off all cell phone notifications, even if you are a passenger. Do not try to show the driver any videos, or social media posts. Do not cause any arguments while the car is in motion. Emotions affect our ability to drive. Eat only when the car is in park. Change radio settings when your car has come to a complete stop at a redlight or a stop sign. If on a long drive, be sure to take breaks from driving. Get out of the car and stretch. Avoid going into “autopilot mode.” If an individual drives the same road for years, they may not pay as much attention as they should. Take a different way home occasionally. Most of all, never get in the car with someone who is under the influence. Find a way to get your friends and family home safe. Get yourself home safe.
All of these seemingly small steps will make a big difference. The list I provided is a continuation of the mission set forth by negligent drivers who have caused and continue to cause the death of 34,000 individuals a year.
Personally, I am guilty of glancing at my phone while driving. I am not the only one. Approximately 42% of high school students text and drive. My aux cord is usually plugged into my phone. Sometimes, I place my phone in my lap. My phone is always on silent, but it still lights up when I receive a notification. To avoid this distraction, I need to turn off my phone, or download a notification blocking app. Certain apps will block every notification with the tap of a finger. Other apps will allow you to create automated messages that will be sent to any individual that calls you while you are driving. Others could benefit from apps like these ones.
Drivers everywhere need to avoid the mistake I made in driver’s training. We need to pay attention. We need to educate ourselves, educate others, reduce distractions while we drive, and we need to encourage our friends and family to reduce distractions. It could save our lives and theirs.
As a nation, we need to make sure laws are being enforced and followed. We need to punish those who speed, text and drive, engage in aggressive driving, and cause the death or injury of others. It only takes a split-second for an ordinary day to become a nightmare. It only takes a split-second for an individual to witness a crash. It only takes one mistake to cause a crash. Do not be the individual laying on the ground next to a totaled car. Do not be the individual who tries to drive the wrong direction on a one-way street. Take responsibility for your safety and the safety of those around you.