Have you ever been in a wreck, knew someone who has been in a wreck, or read about a car accident?  I am sure you answered yes to at least one of these questions, if not more.  Each day, more and more people are getting into the driver’s seat.  Each time someone sits in the driver’s seat, they are taking a huge risk not only for themselves, but also for others on the roadways.  Being in the driver’s seat should not be taken lightly.  With driving comes a huge responsibility.  It is crucial that every driver experience driver’s education.  The knowledge gained from a driver’s education course helps to ensure all drivers are educated well and make the best decisions while behind the wheel.  Driver’s education helps to reduce the number of deaths on the roadways. There are several other steps that can be taken to help reduce the number of deaths related to driving.  A few examples of these steps that drivers need to take are to put the cell phones out of sight and reach while driving, never drink and drive, and also pay close attention to all surroundings while behind the wheel, like potholes and deer where I live.  As a young driver, I plan to take these steps and help others do the same by sharing a family story.

My family can relate strongly to the question I asked you at the beginning.  In June of 1978, my grandfather was in a major wreck.  He was on the way to work early one morning in his Toyota Corolla, when a car popped up over a hill almost completely in his lane.  He tried to swerve, but in a split second he was hit on the driver’s front side.  My grandmother was four months pregnant with a two-year-old at home.  She received a call that no one ever wants to receive.  When she answered the phone, she heard a trembling voice ask to speak to Mrs. Early.  She immediately knew something was wrong.  However, she had no idea just how bad it would be.  

When my grandmother got to the emergency room, she was not allowed to go back to see her husband.  Upon his arrival by ambulance, my grandfather had been immediately taken back to the operating room and surgery had begun.  As she spoke to medical personnel, she also had to speak with the police to discuss the accident.  She was told that the other vehicle was driven by a teenaged driver, who had fallen asleep at the wheel.  The teenager was on the way home from celebrating high school graduation all night. The teen had no injuries from the accident and walked away from the scene.  Meanwhile, my grandfather was given zero chance to live the first three days and stayed in intensive care.  He had exploratory surgery to remove his ruptured spleen, which also revealed multiple internal injuries including his left kidney that was severely damaged and could not be repaired.  He also suffered from a broken left hip and badly damaged knee and ankle injuries.  By the grace of God, he survived.  It was nothing short of a miracle! 

Due to his injuries, he missed four months of work.  He also could not play any contact sports or climb heights for the rest of his life because he could not risk falling or damaging his one remaining kidney.  As I reflect on this car crash, I am thankful and amazed my grandfather made it through this traumatic experience.  If the doctors had been correct and he had not survived, my mother would not be here today (born four years afterwards); which means, I would not be here today – at least not as the persons we are.  The decisions we make behind the wheel of a vehicle can affect so many lives in the blink of an eye.  

At the young age of eighteen, I understand the importance and the impacts of the decisions we make as we sit behind the driver’s wheel.  I will continue to educate not only myself, but also others around me on the importance of driver’s education and being aware of one’s surroundings while driving.  It is crucial when someone takes his or her seat behind the driver’s wheel, that they put everything else aside and focus on what is in front of them.  Not only is their life in jeopardy every time they sit behind a wheel, but also the lives of all those around them.  It is critical that every driver is properly educated and understands the importance of driver’s education.  I am a strong believer that drivers should constantly educate themselves and those in the car to ensure all are aware at all times.  I think of all the future drivers in a car who can get a head start on driver’s education by being educated by their driver, simply as they are riding down the road.  It is crucial that all drivers are educated, properly trained, and understand the importance of driving safely, not only for themselves but also for all those around them. Remember this true story of my family, and that if you snooze, you could lose – or maybe someone else could. Be smart and drive safely!