Drive
safe: There is no Reset Button on Life

I
would like to ask you to remember the first time you were behind the
wheel. As you tense up and press the gas you are engulfed with many
feelings. Two of which may be a sense of freedom and responsibility.
Now imagine two cars on the side of the road, set ablaze, in a face
to face collision. Driving is one of the most dangerous things you
can do. Therefore, it is important that we discuss these dangerous
and work to decrease these tragedies.


As
we speak, individuals, including myself, are learning to drive. It’s
important to have drivers ed to inform not just the new comers
to the road, but everyone of proper driver’s etiquette, conduct,
and the consequences of distracted driving. In this day and age,
distractions while driving have become more apparent. We see car
accidents related to drinking and the use of cellular devices almost
daily. By furthering education, we can hope to reduce the number of
clueless and distracted drivers on the road.

However,
this is easier said than done. A step that should be made is to have
assembles that showcase messages from accident survivors and their
families. To show the toil that accidents can have on people. Another
step that can be made is to push a greater role for computer software
engineers in the defense against distracted driving. Our phones are
one of the direct causes of distracted driving deaths, it is
important that there are restrictions on phone and app usage while
driving. Currently, software developers are making apps that prevent
texts or emails from being accessed while driving. If more engineers
made apps like this and adapted them to more popular apps, such as
Instagram or twitter, I’m sure that distracted driving will
decrease.


I
have never been in a car accident but I have experienced its effect
on my family. My father has been in two accidents and to this day I
can remember the first vividly. I remember being shaken up in the
middle of the night to see my mom worried out of her mind, as she
told me my father had been in an accident. We rolled up to the scene
to hear sirens buzzing with ferocity, from the surrounding emergency
vehicles. And as I peeked out the window I saw my Dad’s SUV on its
side smashed into a tree down a hill. It was devastating, and all I
could do was sit in the back seat, hold my breath, and pray for the
best, knowing there was nothing I could do to help.


Before
witnessing this accident, I assumed driving was easy and nothing
would go wrong. But, I learned that day, that driving may come with
drastic consequences and that there is no reset button on life. As I
continue driving I will say no to distracted driving, by not using my
phone while driving and staying educated of the rules of the road and
share what I learn with others.