Suddenly, out of nowhere, a car slams into our vehicle. I can hear my sister’s scream as my seat flips over. The world is upside down. I can see the smoke rising from the other car as I reach for my twin brother's hand. My sister climbs out of the driver’s side window. “Are you okay, princess?” she said, her voice shaking. “I don’t know.” Tears streamed down my face. “It’s going to be ok,” my sister reassures me. The sirens were getting louder as my sister pulled my brother and me out of the car. Finally, the police arrived. As we stood on the sidewalk, I overheard the apology of the distracted driver. She was standing in a very tough place. She knew that because she was texting and driving, she endangered someone's child, someone's family, and someone's friend. It seemed like forever until I saw my parents’ car pulling up. My mom jumped out of the car almost before it had completely stopped. She hugged my sister tightly and kneeled down to my brother and me, hugging us with pure relief. I hope that the young girl that hit us remembers that moment forever. A fearful yet relieved mom is embracing her children. A moment that would have never happened, if she wasn’t texting and driving.
Even though this accident took place long before I could even drive, the teachings of our parents are engraved in my memory, “No texting or talking on your phone while driving.” My peers often fail to realize the actual dangers of texting and driving. Many drivers, young and old, experienced and inexperienced, have been taught how to behave on the road. Despite this fact, many neglect their teaching. This is why safe driving reminders are essential. In fact, the reminder just might save the life of an innocent driver or passenger. Texting or talking on the phone while driving is a choice. We all must take on the responsibility that comes along with driving.
Responsibility is a large part of driving. To reduce the number of accidents among teenage drivers, driver’s education classes should be mandatory, and an incentive should be included for passing the class with a certain grade. Many high school students fail to see the importance of driver’s education courses and do the bare minimum to pass. With an incentive of lower insurance rates and some type of monetary rebate, student drivers and their parents would take the class more seriously, making the road safer. In almost every high school, students aren’t allowed to play sports if their grades aren’t up to par. It should be no different with driving. This would not only benefit a student’s learning within their driver's ed class, but it would also transform how students view their ability to drive. They would see it as a privilege rather than a right.
Increasing the amount of education offered to potential drivers will change the mindset of those desiring to drive. Currently, the Driver’s Education class is only for one quarter of an entire school year. This class should be a full semester focusing on responsibility for the first quarter, decreasing the number of irresponsible drivers. This semester-long class would focus on fellow members of the road, highlighting that the way individuals drive doesn’t just affect them, but it also affects their loved ones. It would educate regarding the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol and discuss the benefits of not texting and driving. In addition to practical driving lessons, the class would address self-esteem issues and provide lessons regarding the value of life. By educating students on their internal sense of belonging, these classes will instill a sense of value in their lives, leading them to value the lives of others enough to follow the rules of the road.
Accidents are likely to happen in everyone's life at some point, but drivers should remember that their actions can have a lasting impact on their lives and the lives of others. Accidents will happen even when everyone is working hard to follow the law. A blowout can lead to an accident. A diabetic person blacking out behind the wheel could lead to an accident. However, accidents that occur due to texting, talking on the telephone, or driving impaired are unacceptable and can be avoided. Paying attention to life is very important while driving.
Too many people are killed every day due to the irresponsible actions of others. If driver's education courses were longer and focused on safe driving habits while also highlighting the importance of life, empathy, and compassion, I believe that driving would be much safer.