My dad has a scar on his forehead, a deep gash from his childhood. He was kicked in the head by a horse, bucked from behind and rushed to a hospital. However, surprise and confusion are the only things I feel when I see that scar. I know the story, but every time I see it all I can think of is my siblings gathered around my older sister’s phone as our stepmother told us he had been T-boned, and that this crash, out of the many he had been in, was especially bad. It feels silly that the most noticeable scar from his half a dozen or so concussions wasn’t from the time he was T-boned, or from the time he was hit by a vehicle from behind, or from the time he was dragged by a car. I am thankful he only needed staples and not surgery, but every day I fear the consequences of his car crashes. My father isn’t yet fifty, but I have to remind him not to forget his wallet, phone, and keys every time he leaves the house. He forgets words like spatula or timeframe, and every time he does I watch his face contort into frustration, and later, resigned acceptance. Lately, he’s been frustrated by the shaking of his hands, a side effect of his brain injuries. Just recently, he voiced concerns that he may have chronic traumatic encephalopathy, also known as CTE. This degenerative disorder is caused by repeated head trauma, has no cure, and increases the likelihood of aggression, depression, Parkinsons, and suicide. Every day I worry that my father’s car crashes will make him unrecognizable to me before dragging him to an early grave, but there are ways to prevent this.

Cars have become so commonplace that the average person doesn’t think twice about driving to work or going on a late-night snack run, but the truth is that any given driver is at risk of being in a car accident, with varying degrees of damage. Some, like my father, are lucky enough to walk away and continue their lives fairly normally, while others, like my stepsister’s friend, don’t make it out at all. However, when education and research-based restrictions for new drivers increase, the number of fatal crashes decreases substantially, especially when compared to drivers who learned only through logging practice hours . These driving education programs often include several weeks of teaching, with subjects ranging from traffic laws, how to read road signs, and what to do if you lose control of your car in inclement weather. However, what these courses often also include are testimonies from people who have been in serious car accidents. Although someone’s parents or friends may be able to share their experience when a minor accident occurs or when there’s a road sign you haven’t seen before, these classes offer a well-rounded understanding of the road and its laws, general vehicle information, and most importantly, the extent of the risk you are putting yourself in every time you get into a car.

Thankfully, these courses also provide information on steps you can take to prevent these accidents. First, always buckle up. Utilize the safety features of your vehicle, and take the time to adjust your mirrors and seat properly. In the event of a crash, this may prevent any extra damage to your body. Second, drive consciously. Do not get behind the wheel drunk or drowsy, and always pay attention to your surroundings. Third, obey traffic laws. You will stay out of trouble with the law, keep your license, and most importantly, decrease the risk of a car accident while also making your movements predictable to other drivers. All of these things not only keep you safe, but they keep the road safe as well. When driving consciously your movements are predictable and not erratic. By following traffic laws you are participating in the silent agreement every driver shares of how the road works while also following laws like correctly using your turn signals to communicate with other drivers. Although these may seem like common sense recommendations, not everyone abides by them. The only person on the highway you can control is yourself, so it is imperative that you take every precaution you can, not only for your sake but for everyone sharing the highway system. Take control, be proactive, and place yourself in the driver’s seat of your life by utilizing this information; it could be what stands between you and an early grave.