Driving is incredibly dangerous, as it involves operating heavy machinery that requires constant attention to direction, speed, and surrounding conditions. Factors like weather and infrastructure can also impact safety. Because of these risks, it’s crucial to be alert and conscientious while driving or even as a passenger. Over the past five years, I've learned that it only takes a second of distraction, a slight swerve, a broken law, or road debris to cause a crash. Accidents plague the highways and roads in both my hometown and near my college. It’s devastating to research the amount of damage and loss of life caused by situations that could have been avoided. My heart aches for the families and individuals affected, and I hope to share my story to raise awareness and make driving safety a priority.

Education is all about learning—both from textbooks and real-life situations. Driver education is critical because it provides drivers with the necessary knowledge before they get behind the wheel, helping them understand the rules and facts about driving. Driving is a complex combination of actions that require quick thinking and reaction to one's surroundings. By educating ourselves on the rules, regulations, and proper etiquette of the road, we make a pledge to those around us that we care about their safety and well-being. Even something as simple as "refresher" sessions through insurance companies can encourage people to be more cautious on the road, ultimately saving lives.

In 2022, 42,514 people died in car accidents or road-related incidents, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This egregious number should be a call to action. These deaths are horrific, impactful, and, in many cases, preventable. Education, especially for new drivers, and holding drivers accountable for reckless behavior, even when no crash occurs, are key factors in reducing these fatalities. We need more red-light cameras in our communities, higher safety standards for car manufacturers, and an improved curriculum for young and inexperienced drivers. I believe lengthening driver’s education courses and making the driving tests more comprehensive would help. The rise of online learning also presents an opportunity to implement anti-cheating measures, ensuring that students earn their licenses through genuine effort. These small steps can make a significant difference in saving lives and keeping our roads safe.

As a college student from Central Florida, I’ve witnessed many accidents and dangerous driving incidents. My own family was affected when my younger sister was involved in a crash. It happened during the week I returned home from college, and it completely changed how I view the privilege and responsibility of driving. That week was harrowing for me. My sister called me, sobbing uncontrollably, and I couldn’t understand her at first. I checked her location using an app and saw that it had detected a crash near our childhood home. I rushed to the scene and found my sister lying in the grass, hyperventilating, next to her totaled car. Both airbags had deployed, and there were no other vehicles in sight. I comforted her and eventually learned that she had been driving the speed limit when another car made a sharp turn and hit her on the driver’s side. The driver then fled the scene. My sister was taken to the hospital, and we dealt with the aftermath. Though she survived, she now struggles with anxiety while driving, especially during situations that remind her of the crash. One day, she called me in tears, saying she saw a car making a left turn and was mentally preparing for another impact. I never want anyone, especially my little sister, to experience that kind of fear.



After witnessing how this accident affected my sister and my family, I made a promise to become a better driver and use my experiences to promote safe driving habits. I found a reliable app to monitor my family’s driving behaviors, tracking things like phone usage, speed, cornering, braking, unfamiliar routes, and the time of day we drive. These insights helped us plan safer trips and held us accountable for our actions on the road. We were even able to link the app to our car insurance, which rewarded us with discounts for safe driving. I also enrolled in a defensive driving course offered by our insurance company. This course was incredibly informative and helped solidify my knowledge of the road. I now apply these skills to my daily commute and share what I’ve learned with my friends and peers, hoping to improve the safety of our community. Because ultimately, it only takes one person, lesson, or accident to change everything.