Driving is an action that we all take in everyday life. It’s very common for anyone over the age of sixteen to open the door to their car and drive off to their destination without a second thought. However, for so many, a typical day driving down the road can turn sour in just one blink. All of us want to believe that we are good drivers, and that could never happen to us–but we also cannot control every single person driving on the road. In 2021, 3,058 teenagers between the ages of 13-19 were killed in driving related accidents according to IIHS.org. These were due to their own actions or the actions of someone else that was choosing to drive irresponsibly. This is why it is crucial to take the steps to becoming safer drivers, to truly make a difference in our society.
I took driver's education when I was fifteen years old, like most other kids in this country. I ended up getting my license the day after I turned sixteen, but I didn't get my own car until three months later. The one thing I wanted more than anything was a smart car. Mini cars always made me smile, I'm not exactly sure why, but I knew that was what I wanted in my life. I told my parents that and they said absolutely not–I was not getting a smart car. The first reason that they gave me was the fact that we live in Wisconsin. If you know anything about this lovely state, you know that it gets cold. And when it gets very cold, it snows–a lot. Constantly seven inches of snow on the ground, so a shorter car wasn’t very practical as it’s not very easy to get our driveway plowed. Also, my parents said that “I would die if I hit a squirrel.” So, we compromised and they helped me buy my very own Chevy Spark instead. I personally believe that owning this vehicle has helped me to drive safer. Since it’s a smaller car, people don’t pay as much attention to me on the road, forcing me to drive more defensively.
Driver’s ed is one of the most important classes a person can take in their life. It is critical to staying safe on the road and helps young people to learn the rights from the wrongs. My school provides this curriculum for us and it’s required to graduate. I believe this is one of the best ways to do this, that way you aren’t forced to pay for it or drive miles to complete the course. This would help multiple people be more engaged in this course, therefore keeping many more people safe.
Of course, one of the biggest things people can do to stay safe is putting their phones down. I know that everyone probably has a super cute background they want to look at, or a person that they need to text right at that moment, but it’s important to keep it away as you’re driving. My personal biggest issue is that I refuse to pay for Spotify Premium, but hate listening to the ads, so I always swipe out of the app as I am driving. This has gotten me almost in trouble on more than one occasion. Another thing is just simply slowing down. So many teenagers love driving fast, because why wouldn’t you? They finally have the freedom to do so, so they decide that it’s worth it at the moment–that is until they get hurt. Even if you’re going to be late to something, you’re already late–might as well get coffee while you’re at it. I have seen this all too much in awful road conditions. Again, Wisconsin is not known for our sunny skies and great road conditions. My car doesn’t handle super well in thick slushy snow, and many people pass me while I am struggling. People tend to spin out very easily while attempting to complete this action. Also, if you live in conditions like me, snow tires help a lot–they have genuinely saved my life on more than one occasion.
My uncle was once driving down the road in the dark when a driver without their headlights on came towards him. This car was driving down the middle of the road, obviously not having a care about anyone else but themselves. My uncle only saw them at the last second and swerved to get away. He ended up crashing into a railing and immediately had to be taken to the hospital. In the end, he needed a metal plate put in his head to help with his injuries–my grandparents did not take this very well.
All in all, I think that so many people in this day and age don’t understand that they are operating a heavy piece of machinery. It’s a big deal when you get behind the wheel, but most don’t see it that way anymore–it’s just a daily action. I know I am going to stay off my phone and always look both ways when I am pulling out into traffic–I hope everyone else learns how to do the same.