The Power to Save Lives or End Them

At 3 a.m. on July 4, 2019, Officer John Anderson of Nashville was added to the list of 40 Metro Police officers killed in the line of duty. Anderson was on his way to assist another officer with a pedestrian walking along the interstate when his police car was slammed into, causing the vehicle to spin into a light pole, killing him within minutes. Anderson’s car was slammed into by a car driven by Jayona Brown, a 17-year-old girl driving on a suspended license. Anderson was only 28-years-old when his life was taken by a negligent driver.

Before a TN resident can get a driver’s license, both a written test and a driving test must be taken. In order to pass these tests, the driver must read the Driver’s Manual extensively. The written test only allows for six missed questions out of thirty total questions. This means you should study carefully!

While this testing seems unimportant to some, I believe Officer Anderson would argue against that. Proper licensure and responsible driving education would’ve saved his life that early Tennessee morning. Jayona Brown did not have the legal right to be driving, and because of her irresponsibility, a precious life was lost.

Though I have never been in an accident myself, I read stories like the one above nearly every week. Accidents like this remind us of the gravity and serious responsibility that driving carries with it. In order to minimize the dangers and life-threatening aspects of the road, we must ensure we are properly licensed and allowed to be on the road. We must also equip ourselves with the knowledge necessary to make wise decisions. It is critically important to know what you’re doing when driving.

Your life and the lives of the drivers in the lane next to you depend on your responsibility and knowledge of the road and responsible driving. You have the power to save lives or end them. It’s up to you how you use your privilege to get behind the wheel.

Story of Officer John Anderson taken from here and here.