I always thought that I would know what to do in the event of witnessing a car crash until it happened.
It was late track season and my teammate and I were waiting to cross the street by our school so we could begin our run. Our high school parking lot was right next to a busy five lane road that lacked any signage for a school zone, so cars would maintain their speed of at least 45 mph during school hours. As we started to cross the street, a student pulled out of the parking lot to complete a left turn without proper judgment and hit a motorcyclist. The motorcyclist flew into the air and returned to the ground. Upon impact, his helmet flew off and he skid across the street. Traffic comes to a stop and the man lays on the road with no signs of life. At that point I had no idea what to do. Was I supposed to go into the road and attempt CPR? Run and get help? Console my peer who just got in the accident? After witnessing something so traumatic, it was impossible to get my thoughts straight. So, I ran to my coach for help. Police and EMTs arrived shortly thereafter to take the man to the hospital and clean up the scene. I found out later that week that the man died shortly after the accident. I felt immense guilt and couldn't sleep for weeks. If I gathered enough courage to run over and help the man would he still be alive? Could I have been there for him so he didn't have to hold on to his life alone? Every night when I closed my eyes, the scene replayed in my head and I was reminded of the man.
After the devastating scene, I protested and contacted the city of Phoenix to implement school zone signage because the difference in speed could have saved that man’s life. I never heard anything back, but when I came back from my first year of college, I noticed school zone signage and lights were placed right where it should be. I felt joy in knowing that the new school zone could save lives for years to come.
After witnessing this traumatic event, it discontinued my desire to get my driver's license, so I didn’t start to learn how to drive until after my freshman year of college. From that point on, every time I got behind a wheel I would freeze; remembering that day. I felt as though driving was a death sentence for myself or another innocent human.
I am now finally in the process of getting my license at 18 years old and cannot stress the importance of driver’s education, especially when it comes to reducing deaths on the road. Living in a big city, I see fatal accidents far more often than I should. Along with these accidents, I also learn what causes them and in most cases it is entitlement, distraction, and poor driving techniques. Learning proper driving techniques is only half the battle; another step I can, and will take, to better myself and help others is to stay courteous of the other drivers on the road. Entitled drivers believe that they are above traffic rules and do not have to conform to driving etiquette. Entitled drivers can be seen blowing through stop signs, speeding, turning into the wrong lane, cutting through traffic, and making so many other dangerous choices. Traffic rules and driving etiquette are in place for a reason, to keep us safe. Entitled drivers are willing to put themselves and others at serious risk just to shave a few minutes off their drive. Being entitled on the road is not only impolite, it is extremely dangerous as I have first-hand witnessed so many near-accidents caused by selfishness. If all drivers became courteous and consistently followed the rules of the road, so many fatalities would be prevented. Another step I will take is continuing to be a defensive driver.
Through driver’s education I have learned the importance of not just paying attention to my driving, but also watching other driver’s on the road. I learned that doing all the right things is not a guarantee that you will stay safe from a fatal car crash, and that is why focusing on those around you is of utmost importance. Staying prepared to respond to potential hazards on the road is the greatest action one can take. In my experience during driver’s education, the instructors have been excellent with teaching me about the importance of defensive driving and how it saves lives. In my minimal involvement in driving, I have been sure to be consistent in following defensive driving guidelines and have seen its advantages personally. One day, I was driving to work and made sure to leave the proper distance between me and the car in front of me. The car then stopped immediately to turn without a turn signal. Since I was managing a safe distance behind that car, I had the proper amount of time to safely break and not hit the car in front of me. I learned first hand the importance of defensive driving and I will continue to be a defensive and attentive driver for the rest of my life. With proper driver’s education, countless lives could be saved.
I still think of that day from time to time and I truly believe it made me a better driver.