A license to kill

1 in 101 

That's the likelihood of the average American will die in a car on car related car crash, 

Someone is in a car accident every 5 seconds. 

And they end fatally every 13 minutes.  

By the time you finish this essay, over 100 crashes have taken place. 

And it's likely at least one of those has ended in fatality. 

 1 percent of all deaths are caused by vehicle accidents   

Sounds small, but with 3,070,000 people dying every year in the US, that makes 1 percent more than 30,700 people every year dying preventable deaths 

  

But those are just numbers, right? 

They don't really mean anything, to quote Dostoevsky from Crime and Punishment. 

 “Ugh! But what does it matter? That's as it should be, they tell us. A certain percentage, they tell us, must every year go . . . A percentage! What splendid words they have; they are so scientific, so consolatory. . .. Once you've said 'percentage' there's nothing more to worry about. If we had any other word . . . maybe we might feel more uneasy. . .. But what if Dounia (his sister) were one of the percentage! Of another one if not that one? “ 

 The point of that passage is to say those numbers are only numbers of comfort till it's someone you know, in which case that fate is completely unacceptable. 

But weren't the 30,699 others just the same? 

 You say 

“it’s worth the convenience” 

“that's just the casualties of progress” 

“It won't happen to me” 

Till it's not just death number 21,768 

Till it's your mom 

Till it's your baby girl 

or best friend 

Till it's your fault. 

  The true reality of misinformation is haunting, 

When you consider the cost 

  Out of 600 drivers 

only 20% knew the correct hand positions; we were told week 2 in driver's ed 

 That number, 20% of people who knew the correct way, 

 is lower than the 21% of USA adults who believe there are currently aliens among us 

Only 66% agreed that you should never cross a double yellow line. I was taught how to drive less than a year ago, and that was literally the first thing we were taught. 

Yet ⅓ of drivers don't know it. 

Anywhere else would that ever be ok? 

How would you feel going to a doctor where there is a 1 out of 3 chance they have no clue what they're doing? 

Or 

Getting in a plane with a 1 in 3 chance the pilot's license is fake? 

When it comes down to the wire of making quick choices behind a 4000-pound vehicle, we cannot let the bare minimum slide, 

 We can't control other drivers.  So, the best thing you can do to prevent future deaths is to stay informed on local laws and the rules of the road. 

 Additionally, make sure your passengers are knowledgeable as well because 50% of crash deaths were due simply to the passenger not wearing a seat belt. Meaning almost 16,000 deaths could have been prevented with a simple strap of fabric. By doing something we were all told in pre-k? Something that takes 2 seconds? 

Are those extra 2 seconds worth years of grief? 

The cost of a funeral or hospital? 

Never getting to say goodbye? 

Even worse, 43% of Americans have admitted to driving while under the influence. 

With some of the other deaths on this list, you can claim genuine accidents, but drunk driving, which accounts for a third of vehicle-related deaths, is never excusable; there will never be a reason. It is NEVER okay. If you can't drive, plan ahead for a designated driver, or if unplanned, call an Uber; don't say that money is an issue, as there are multiple programs available to cover Ubers or ride-share solely to prevent drunk driving through programs like responsibility.org or the local DMV. And if it's such an emergency, call 911 instead of driving and creating a worse one. 

It has become a far too common phrase to say 

“You are far more likely to die driving than —-----” 

Often used to help people overcome fears. 

Like roller coasters or boats  

It's just accepted 

But when you plug in some data, you begin to see just how horrific that apathy we collectively feel is 

For example, 

You are far more likely to die driving a car than flying to outer space. 

 Or 

You are far more likely to die driving than fighting active duty in most modern wars. 

 For those jobs, you are extensively trained and forced to be the best of the best witch given the risk, makes sense. 

Dangerous role = rigorous training 

Expect apparently when it doesn't 

 We let people who don't even know the right way to drive, or basic rules, operate a 4000 lb. machine with a higher death rate. 

What? 

Which brings us back to our overarching point 

What can you do? 

That's simple. 

Educate yourself and those around you. 

 Clearly, both the military and space travel are far more dangerous on their own; the difference is the people, but the ones in these roles are highly trained, dedicated, and most of all EDUCATED.  

It should be far above bare minimum to know the basic rules of the road or to not drink and drive, and yet…. 

By the time you finish this essay, maybe use the restroom or eat or play on your phone for just a few minutes. 

A life will have been lost. 

 You know what, 

Humor me a moment, 

Based on my math, 

At this moment, from the start of the essay to now, about 60 crashes have occurred. 

Now 

Pause your reading 

Walk around, play on your phone for about 7ish minutes. 

Take in your surroundings. 

Text a family member you love them. 

Take a bite of your favorite food. 

Play with a pet 

At this point in the essay, from the start to now 

Someone has passed due to a car crash. 

Before you began this essay, they may have been someone just like you, 

Heck, it could have been you. 

Because one driver never cared to know the rules, 

Because one teen would rather risk a life than their parents see them drink, 

Because one girl just had to send that text, 

Police are knocking on someone's door. 

Taking 30 minutes to review the rules and laws won't kill you, 

Driving the speed limit and being 2 minutes late won’t kill you, 

Waiting 10 minutes to send a text won’t kill you, 

But, 

Failing to learn, wait, or plan just might. 

If not you, 

The single mother with young twins whose babysitter calls, 

as her phone now rings forever unanswered on the side of the street. 

Or 

The young boyfriend, whose diamond engagement ring box, 

Will remain forever shut. 

Or 

The honor roll teen, whose mom will stay up waiting for an eta, 

 That will never come. 

Because you thought the numbers didn't have names 

Or at least not ones you ever cared about.