Change
Begins with Every One of Us


Being in a car accident can be one of
the more traumatic events of a person’s life. Vehicles are a great
commodity. However, their overwhelming presence in our country can
cause us to forget how big of a responsibility it is to drive. For
that reason, we often handle our vehicles with little care. Examples
of such irresponsibility, unfortunately, are all around us. A few
years ago, my family’s car was hit by an elderly driver whose
impaired vision prevented her from maintaining safe control of her
vehicle. More tragic still, a high schooler who lived only a few
blocks away from my house was killed when an intoxicated driver ran a
red light and violently careened into his vehicle, head-on. Not
everyone is aware of the threat that driving whilst they are in no
condition to be behind the wheel, poses to others.

I
believe drivers ed is imperative in reducing the number of
deaths as a result of driving, as it not only reinforces positive
safety habits, but also heightens our awareness of what is going on
outside of our own vehicle. My own experience in drivers ed
courses led me to fully realize the dangers of driving under the
influence, through real-life accounts and video footage. Anyone who
would like to operate a motor vehicle needs to be educated about the
risks and responsibilities this privilege entails. The most efficient
way to accomplish this is to spend class time learning about vehicle
safety, then participating in guided practice behind the wheel with a
trustworthy instructor.
I
think there are many ways to reduce the number of deaths related to
driving, but sadly not all of them are easily enforceable. So many
laws and regulations – no texting while driving, blood alcohol
level regulations, limited number of passengers for teenage drivers –
are violated on a daily basis. Not everyone understands why these
rules exist and that they are for our own safety, and that of
everyone around us. Though I believe drivers ed is
indispensable for an educated and empowered community of vehicle
owners, I believe concrete measures should be implemented as well,
such as an imposed limit for alcohol sales per customer at bars and
restaurants.

Most
importantly, I believe that all change starts with one person, in
each of us. Every one of us needs to be a role-model to our entourage
and demonstrate the safe driving techniques we have learned in our
drivers ed courses. We cannot expect others to agree to
stick to the speed limit or resist the temptation of their Instagram
feed if we do not ourselves. I am committed to stopping accidents
before they happen by driving as distraction-free as possible: no
tech, no substances dangerous to operating a vehicle, and full
compliance with road safety rules.