One decision can change everything

Every time we get behind the wheel, we are holding someone’s life in our hands. It could be our own life, the life of the person sitting beside us, or the life of a stranger driving in the opposite direction. Driving is such a normal part of everyday life for most people that it can be easy to forget how much responsibility comes with it. We get into our vehicles, turn the key, and begin our day without always thinking about the consequences that could be prevented by making smart decisions. However, one text message, one drink, one moment of impatience, or even an extra kilometer over the speed limit can change someone’s life forever. Driver education is not only about learning how to drive, but also about learning how to make responsible decisions that can protect many lives.
 

Driver education plays an important part in reducing the number of deaths and injuries caused by driving because it teaches people what safe driving actually looks like. New drivers need to learn more than how to parallel park, follow traffic signs, and pass their road test. They need to understand how quickly a dangerous situation can occur and how their choices can affect everyone's well-being around them. Education can teach drivers about the dangers that come with distractions, being impaired, aggressiveness, and tired driving. More importantly, it can also make an impact on drivers and encourage them to think before making a decision that could have permanent consequences.
 
 I believe one of the biggest problems with road safety is that people often know what they should and should not be doing but still choose to take risks. I think everyone knows that texting and driving is dangerous. Most people know that driving after drinking alcohol is dangerous. Most people know that speeding can increase the chances of accidents. Yet these behaviors continue to happen. Sometimes people convince themselves that they are experienced enough, that they are only looking at their phone for a second, or that an accident will happen to someone else. The issue is that a dangerous decision does not come with a warning label telling us that this will be the moment everything changes.
 
 Many steps can be taken to lessen the number of deaths related to driving. The first is eliminating distractions. I strongly believe that phones should be put away before the vehicle starts moving rather than being kept within reach. Drivers should always wear their seatbelts, respect speed limits, leave some space between vehicles, and adjust their driving to not only the weather conditions, but also road conditions. Drivers should also never drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs. If someone has been drinking, there are always other options, such as having a sober friend drive, taking a cab, calling a colleague or finding another safe way home. Choosing not to drive may seem inconvenient at the given time, but a few minutes of inconvenience really, is nothing compared to the consequences of a serious collision.
 
 I have also learned that unsafe driving does not only affect the person behind the wheel. As passengers, we also have a responsibility. If we notice someone driving irresponsibly, we should not encourage them or remain silent because we are afraid of making things awkward. Speaking up could prevent a serious accident. Sometimes being a good friend means saying, “Slow down,” “Put your phone away,” or “I don’t feel safe with the way you’re driving.” It may feel awkward in the moment, but protecting someone’s life is more important than avoiding an uncomfortable conversation.

 

Using myself as an example; to be completely honest, the day I passed my road test and got that license in my hands was the BEST day of my life. I no longer had to ask my mom for rides or stay home due to having no transportation. I no longer had to listen to my mom's boring radio. I hopped in my car for the very first time by myself, and since I was the first in my friend group to get my license, I was obviously going to pick up all my friends the second that I had the chance. We played the music as loud as it went, windows all down, going fast down the highway, which was fun at the time… Until one time I ran a stop sign, which made the other driver coming my way slam on their brakes and lay on their horn. Let me tell you, I don’t think I've been more scared in my life. I don’t know if I've ever even seen my friends seem so scared either. Seconds after this happened, I had to pull over on the road to take a second to breathe, and it really got me thinking… IF that vehicle driver hadn’t reacted so quickly, things could have turned really badly, and it would have happened fast. Not only was it my own life in my hands, but also the 4 girls who were with me that night. I could not imagine what would have happened if the opposite vehicle hadn’t stopped. 

 I think that’s the moment I realized how much responsibility comes with being a safe driver. To become a better and safer driver myself, I learnt that it is okay to have fun and to listen to music, but I also learnt that it is very important to know how quickly things can happen if your full attention is not on the road. 

I can also try and help others become safer drivers by being a good influence.  If I make responsible decisions, the people around me may be more likely to do the same. I can encourage my friends and family to put their phones away, remind them to wear their seatbelts, and speak up if I feel that someone is driving recklessly. Personally, I would rather be the person who said something and prevented a bad decision than the person who stayed quiet and wishes afterward that I had spoken up.
 
 Honestly, I believe that road safety starts with understanding that driving is a privilege and it's not something we should take for granted. Every person on the road has somewhere to go and someone who expects them to come home. We cannot control the choices that every driver makes, but we can definitely control our own choices and spread awareness to encourage others to make better ones.
 
 The goal of driving should never only be to get somewhere. The goal should be to get there and back safely. Driver education gives us the knowledge to understand the risks, but it is our responsibility to put that knowledge into action. One decision may seem silly or stupid in the moment, but behind the wheel, one decision can be the difference between someone arriving home safely and someone never making it home at all.