Life or Death

Getting into a fatal car accident almost doesn’t seem possible, as a teenager I feel I am invincible. However, all it takes is one text, one glance, one wrong decision for everything to be taken away from you. Driving is a privilege, a power entrusted in you by the state, essentially saying: “we trust you to make the right decisions, decisions that could take lives.” Driving should not be taken lightly and should be treated like the privilege it is. Taking proper precautions is incredibly simple, as little as completing drivers ed, and being conscious of all your surrounding factors. I have never been in an accident, and I am infinitely grateful for that. Too many times have I had to make a split-second decision because of someone else’s poor driving. If they had just looked both ways before turning, not looked at their phone causing them to slam on the brakes, or just payed better attention, I wouldn’t have had to make such a quick decision. Many of my friends get in accidents often, as they are careless in their actions. All it takes is one small move, a careless thought that can cause endless grief to countless people. It’s imperative to remember that careless driving doesn’t impact just you, but the other member of the wreck as well. Something as simple as using a seatbelt, using turn signals, or checking mirrors can make the difference between getting home safe, or in a casket. I and many others have been in a scenario when an intoxicated friend offers to drive, or sometimes refuses to have someone else drive them. A friend’s life is worth so much, and it’s simply not worth it to let a loved one drive while intoxicated. There is no scenario where this behavior is acceptable, and if you can stop it, you must. Drivers ed can prevent all of these awful scenarios from occurring, educating new drivers about road safety laws, street signs, signals, and precautions. It’s imperative to take driving seriously, as it can easily take your life or the life of others.