More than Common Sense

“Make sure you never take your eyes off the road, especially not for a text.” The driving instructor reminded me for what seemed like the millionth time. ‘Isn't that just common sense?’ I thought to myself, although I just nodded along. Fast forward a year, the light flashed as my parents took a picture of me smiling in front of the “WOW! I just got my license!” sign at the DMV. Still recovering from being temporarily blinded, I smiled overjoyed at this new stage of my life. I really started to feel like a grown adult, although I was still only seventeen. When I first drove by myself, even though I only drove about 5 minutes to my local Dunkin Donuts, I felt so free. “Is this what it feels like to be an adult?” I thought to myself, if so I couldn't wait to turn eighteen. Even though I had acquired my license, I was missing a crucial part—a car. For the past 6 years I had worked every weekend as a custodian to save money for a car. When I finally was able to purchase a “brand new” used car I was overjoyed, but that freedom I once felt was now weighted. This was fully my responsibility, something I hadn't fully felt when I drove my parents’ car. The first time I drove my car was different than the first time I drove after I got my license, it was surreal. Driving quickly became my favorite part of my everyday life. Whether it was driving to school during sunrise or with my friends listening to our favorite songs, although my personal favorite is the long drives at night. Needless to say the first months of being a new driver felt amazing, until it wasn’t. I was headed home from work driving down the highway when the car next to me slowly started to drift in my direction about to cut me off. My heart pounded in my chest as I honked the horn, and the car swerved back into its lane. As I passed the driver I saw them; one hand on the wheel and the other holding their phone, texting. I was beyond baffled, he had almost crashed into the front of my car yet he wasn't even fazed in the slightest. I was frustrated, not only at the fact he didn't seem to care but the fact that he thought a text was more important than his own life. This experience taught me that safe driving is about more than following rules—it's about respecting the value of human life. Life is such a sacred thing, we live for such a short time on this earth, can’t one text just wait? Nowadays driving is such a casual thing, but we fail to realize just how devastating our actions can be if we don't take it seriously. By following the rules we don't just protect ourselves, we protect the lives of everyone around us. Accidents are extremely common, whether they are from a car malfunction or from the fault of a driver. It is important to know how to act in any situation, remembering the important protocols to take that we learn while trying to get our licenses is life saving. Although the driver's education class may seem full of things that should already be common knowledge, it is extremely easy to forget. When you're behind the wheel it’s easy to get lost in a song or dissociate while you drive home, as the roads become like muscle memory.  That is why it's so important to have these lessons ingrained into our brain. Looking back, I now understand why my instructor repeated something as simple as “Make sure you never take your eyes off the road, especially not for a text.” She wasn't saying this so I would answer correctly on the test. She was focused on developing habits that would not only help me but help protect those on the road around me. The experience on the highway shifted my perspective on how and why I drive. Before it, I saw driving as a gateway into independence and freedom. To me, driving meant I could go anywhere I wanted, when I wanted and I didn't have to rely on anyone else. But over time I realized that this freedom comes with responsibility, and when I drive I remember that my actions have consequences that don't only affect me. When we drive we must remember that each life is precious and sacred, we live for such a short time on this earth, one text can always wait.