Driving is often overlooked and taken for granted. We are so accustomed to traveling on the roads, whether by car or bus, that it's our primary mode of transportation. Driving is a cheaper alternative to flying; it is more straightforward, and it is overall convenient. While driving is often seen as a right, it is truly a privilege. To be able to drive, you must pass a written test as well as a physical test that shows your skills to a certified tester. After completing those, you must take a driver's safety class before receiving your full license. This class is over 4 hours long and often seen as a bore and a chore, but what is the true importance of this class?
The driver's ed class is crucial to prevent driving fatalities and increase safety. The AAA Foundation states that the most at-risk drivers are those between the ages of 16-17; these are fresh drivers. These drivers are just now getting their hands on the wheel and giving the tires a spin. Driver’s ed can tremendously benefit those who are new. You don't walk into your new math class immediately knowing the quadratic formula like it was a birthright. You don't automatically know the recipe for the best chocolate chip cookies you have ever had. You take time to learn these essential things to be successful with them; the same goes for driving. It is vital to take driver's ed to protect yourself when you are behind the wheel. Esurance discovered that 77% of people get into one OR MORE car crashes in their lives. There are 7 billion people in this world. That is roughly over 5.4 billion car crashes, plus the chance someone has been in multiple wrecks. Driver’s ed can help drivers expand their knowledge to handle different driving situations better. Knowledge is power, and you must yield lots of power behind the wheel. If you get stuck in a situation that is fresh and new, the chances are higher of you freaking out and making things worse. If you are educated and accustomed to different situations with extreme preparedness, these situations will be mere memories and easier to navigate. There is a 13.8% chance of dying in a vehicle accident. Spend 240 minutes in a driver's ed class to ensure you aren't just a statistic.
Some things in life are written in the stars. It is destiny, and no matter what, it is bound to happen. However, car crashes are written in the sand. They can be prevented by taking the necessary measures. You can start to make a change by changing your ways. When driving, there is no need for cell phone use. Cell phones are the number 1 biggest distraction. The call from your spouse can wait. The ESPN notification will still be there when you arrive at your destination. We live in a world of technology. Devote this small percentage of your day to focusing on the road instead of your device. Not only can you stop cell phone use, but you always get behind the wheel sober. Not only is driving under the influence dangerous, but it is also incredibly selfish. This doesn't just put your life in the hands of alcohol or drugs; it affects many different cars around you. These cars can hold people who have just had the worst days of their lives, people going to their favorite places, and people who have just brought a new life into this world. The fate of others should lie in their own hands, never by the strings of driving drunk or high. Obey the laws. They are there for a reason. They aren't there to make your life inconvenient. They are there to help keep people safe. Lives are precious; do not let something as silly as pieces of metal and plastic welded together be the reason yours or someone else gets taken away.
When I was 2, my aunt was in a deadly car crash. This car crash was caused by a drunk semi-truck driver that smashed into her car. This left her with all 206 bones shattered. She fought long and hard and still fights with the repercussions of this accident. It is a blessing to talk about her in the present tense. Just 12 years later, my family went through this struggle all over again. My half-brother, Seth, and his half-brother, Ethan, were in a motorcycle accident that took the leg off Ethan. A semi-side swiped their motorcycle, and the rest is history. I remember the smell of the hospital, the arrangement of the gift shop, Hubert's lemonade I drank every time, and the tears in Ethan's eyes when they said he would not walk again. Ethan got a fake leg back in 2019 and, to this day, in 2024, still faces adversity with it. These wrecks were two preventable things. These wrecks changed their lives forever. These wrecks, thankfully, are just a story to tell but could've been on an obituary as the cause of death.
As safe-driving citizens, we can create habits that make us safer drivers and influence others to follow our steps. I am going to start by driving at the speed limit. The speed limit isn't there to hinder us. It is well thought out for any condition: sunshine, rain, and snow. Driving the speed limit is something others can catch on to. If someone is flying by cars all going the same speed, it will make them stick out like a sore thumb to cops. Nobody wants to get in trouble and pay fines. Hopefully, one car driving the speed limit spread like a butterfly effect, and others will start catching on. Becoming a defensive driver is the ultimate goal of becoming safer. Pay attention to what's around you. Remember where cars are so you don't accidentally hit them in your blind spot, know when the lanes change, and watch the signage posted. Focus on yourself and your car while being mindful of those around you. You should not rely on other drivers because what if they do the same for you? Always wear your seatbelt- One of the most said things, but really, it's true! Your seatbelt ensures you stay stuck to the seat, even when you are crashed and trying to be ejected. Your seatbelt protects your bones so you don't end up like my aunt or Ethan. Buckle up because it can save your life.