A relative getting ready for her first days in college. A classmate's father coming home from work to his wife and 4 kids. The teenage son of a family friend 10 days older than me. These were all healthy, young people, who had their entire lives ahead of them. Unfortunately, all of their lives were taken, due to the carelessness of other drivers. 

I am no stranger to car accidents and the grave danger they impose upon our society today.  Car accidents have affected myself and many beloved people in my life, including many more than I listed above. Apart from the physical injuries and death that come from car accidents, the feelings of regret that follow are exceedingly painful. “Why didn’t I keep him from going that day? Why did it happen to her and no one else? I had just seen them 10 minutes before it happened…”

What is so terrifying about car accidents is the fact that they can happen to anyone, and even someone driving safely can lose their life in seconds due to another person's mistakes. I’ve seen heart wrenching videos of people driving responsibly, only to lose their lives because some teenage kids decided to race on the highway. It could happen to anyone! Moments like these have happened far too many times, and the numbers prove that something needs to be done, as soon as possible.

The first step to any sort of change is an increased emphasis on drivers’ education in the classroom and exposure to the effects that irresponsible driving can cause. Anyone can drive under the speed limit while they have an instructor or driving test proctor next to them. What’s more important is the true understanding that by choosing to drive irresponsibly, anywhere and at any time, people's lives are actively being endangered. Although it is difficult to do sometimes, watching videos and seeing through visuals how quickly an accident can take place is vital. Many people seem to have an idea that although it happens to other people, when they drive irresponsibly, they will have more control over anything that happens. It needs to be emphasized that this is simply untrue and many of the deaths that occur are due to overconfidence.

I personally owe much of my awareness in the matter to an elderly substitute teacher who came in to teach drivers education one day. Our main teacher called off sick that day, so a retired drivers ed teacher came in at the last minute. I remember this day more than any other, because he was very unique. He didn’t even open the textbook or follow the lesson plan. He spent the whole period speaking to us about his own experiences with car accidents, and told us an emotional personal story. He showed us visual examples of how some car accidents ended, and more importantly, connected with all of us on a personal level. I feel I can speak for all of my classmates when I say this was the most beneficial day in the classroom, and really opened our eyes in the matter.

However, this isn’t enough sometimes, especially amongst teenagers and young adults. Unfortunately, some people will want to race and drive as fast as they can, regardless of how many videos they see and statistics they read. What I have noticed among my friends and classmates is the stricter their parents/guardians are about this matter, the safer drivers they are. This can include implementing apps that track how fast their children are driving, imposing clear rules and punishments for breaking the rules, and just generally placing high levels of importance on the matter. I also believe that there should be more law enforcement present on major highways, especially on non-weeknights. 

When it comes to taking steps to be a safer driver, the most important one is adhering to, or even staying below the posted speed limit at all times. This simple yet crucial action significantly reduces the risk of accidents and allows for better control of our vehicles. It’s also essential to have awareness of our surroundings and adjust our speed accordingly. Another often under looked part of safe driving is the consistent use of turn signals, even while we might think it's unnecessary. Sudden turns and moves can disorient other drivers on the road, so a simple signal can make a major positive difference.

Last but not least, there's a serious need for increased awareness regarding driving speeds in bad weather conditions, especially in regions like the Midwest, where heavy snowfall is common. Despite the dangers that come from slippery roads and reduced visibility, many drivers still choose to ignore these factors and drive at excessive speeds. This reckless behavior not only endangers their own lives but also the safety of others.

It's imperative to realize that car accidents can happen to anyone, regardless of how safely they drive, and it's crucial to educate individuals, particularly young drivers, about the potential consequences of irresponsible driving. I believe that if we all are able to come to terms with the immediate need for stricter implementation of these rules, the roads can become a much safer place for all.