Imagine being in a car accident even before you were born. Picture this: a peaceful afternoon, sunlight filtering through the trees, the gentle hum of the car engine, and then, without warning, Craaaasssshhh! You bounce around your mother’s protective womb, but thankfully survive what could have been the end of your future life story. In November 2006, when my mom was around fifteen weeks pregnant with me, she pulled up to a stoplight in her sporty, white, two-door Honda Civic as the light changed from yellow to red. The vehicle in front of her was an 11,000 pound belly dump trailer. That construction truck initially chose to go through the yellow light, but when the traffic control signal suddenly turned red, it slammed on the brakes, and then shifted into reverse. When my mom saw that the dump truck was coming straight towards her, she checked her rear view mirror to make sure there were no cars behind her, and quickly switched her car into reverse. By that time, it was too late; in the blink of an eye, the belly dump crushed her little white Civic. Thankfully, my mom, along with me in her belly, escaped with only minor injuries. I have relived this experience no less than twenty times because my mom reminded me of it each time I drove her to the store after getting my driver’s permit. Because my mom is a good driver, wears her seatbelt religiously, and always checks all her mirrors, we were able to survive our one and only car accident. Although this has been my only experience of being in a car accident, this incident has inspired me to be the best driver I can be to keep myself, my passengers, and the other drivers on the road safe.
According to the National Safety Council, the three main causes of driving related accidents are alcohol, distracted driving, and speeding. In 2019, my cousin’s close friend made the tragic choice to drive from Casa Grande to Flagstaff after a night of drinking. He fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into another vehicle, killing the four passengers inside. At only twenty-four years old, he was sentenced to twenty-four years in prison. This life altering accident could have been avoided by calling an Uber instead of choosing to drive impaired. I pledge to never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. I will either be the designated driver and drink water all night or I will use ride-share services if I do decide to drink. I don’t ever want to be the cause of someone’s pain, suffering, or death.
About ten years ago, there was a car accident on the street directly behind my house. My family heard the crash and saw the aftermath of the maroon Chevy Tahoe out our upstairs window. My aunt and my dad’s cousin both drove maroon Chevy Tahoes at the time. My mom frantically called my relatives to make sure they were ok. Thankfully, they were fine, but the driver who caused the crash died in the accident. He was a high school junior in my mom’s English class and was headed to the school football game on a Friday night. He caused the accident because he was texting and driving. Because distracted driving is on of the leading contributors to traffic related accidents, I promise to never text and drive. I will either pull over to send a message if I think it’s urgent or I will just wait until I reach my destination. Taking my eyes off the road for a split second is not worth losing my life or causing the death of another person.
I don’t have a story to share about speed related accidents, but I vow to always follow the posted speed limit. It’s in my best interest, as my parents won’t be happy about paying an increased insurance premium due to a speeding ticket. But more importantly, it’s for the safety of everyone on the road with me.
Driver’s education plays a significant role in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, approximately 3.55 people are killed in Arizona in traffic related accidents each day. This amounts to over one thousand people tragically and unnecessarily losing their lives per year. Students who take driver’s education learn the laws and rules of the road and are much more prepared when they begin driving. They learn how to navigate intersections and roundabouts and increase their awareness of pedestrians and their safety. Driver’s education courses teach students to identify who has the right-of-way and how to manage their speed. These courses give students situational awareness which helps them to understand the changing road conditions and the behaviors of other drivers. Teens who take driver’s education learn how to drive defensively which is key to safely operating vehicles, which in turn, reduces the number of driving related deaths.
In addition to driver’s education, there are many other steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths that occur due to driving related incidents. One precaution is to have a safety mindset and don’t ever think that an accident will never happen to you or be caused by you. If I plan to drive, safety has to be my top priority. Another important step is for drivers to properly maintain their vehicles. They should routinely check their tires and make sure their brake system is functioning well. Motorists should also keep their distance when driving and make sure that their emotions are in check to prevent road rage. I am fully committed to taking all the steps to being a safe and proficient driver.