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Name: Daniella Avila
From: Tampa, Florida
Votes: 34
When Leadership Collides
The senior captain of my soccer team was on the phone with her mom, crying her eyes out, right before one of the most important games of the season. The five of us, her teammates, got out of the car and awkwardly waited for some kind of instruction as she dealt with the situation. People in the stands were turned around, pointing, staring, and whispering. I thought, This is so embarrassing. My teammates and I decided it was best to leave our captain alone as she faced the consequences of crashing her mother’s car into the referee’s vehicle.
Leading up to the crash, the six of us girls were “jamming” to City Girls, a regular pre-game ritual: we’d eat snacks, blast music, and dance around in our car seats to loosen up before games. Normally, this was all harmless fun, and we always arrived safely. But that night was different. Reese, our team captain, was driving her mom’s car and pulling into a diagonal parking space against the one-way pattern of the lot. There were cars on either side of the empty space, and in her rush to park with the music blaring and everyone chatting, Reese didn’t take a wide enough turn. She crashed into the car next to us, scraping the silver SUV against the passenger side of her mother’s vehicle. Within seconds, the music was silenced, and we were pulled to the side to examine the damage.
Thankfully, none of us were injured, and the damage to the cars was relatively minor. Reese exchanged information with the young referee after the game, trying to make amends. But despite the relatively small scale of the accident, this incident reminded us of how serious even “minor” car accidents can be. Driving a vehicle is a huge responsibility and privilege, one that should never be taken lightly. In this scenario, we allowed distractions to interfere with our safety, something I’ve come to recognize as a lesson in accountability and the importance of making responsible choices on the road.
In 2023, over 40,000 deaths were recorded in the United States due to car accidents. To put that into perspective, Fenway Park holds about 37,755 people—still fewer than the lives lost in car accidents that year. These numbers are staggering, and they highlight the importance of taking individual action to create safer roads.
One of the most significant steps we can take as drivers is to avoid phone use while driving. Phones contribute to countless accidents every year. I’ll admit that I, too, have been tempted by my phone on the road, whether to answer a text or check notifications. But I know that keeping my phone out of sight and out of reach while driving is a simple way to reduce distractions and make the road safer, both for myself and for others. Is it more important to answer a friend’s message about weekend plans, or to ensure I’ll be there to make those plans? By prioritizing safety over temporary distractions, each of us can contribute to lowering the statistics of accidents and fatalities.
Driving moderately is another critical factor in road safety. It’s easy to overlook how music volume, the people in the car, and even casual conversations can lead to distractions. Every sound, every conversation, and every movement in the car requires attention and processing, even if it’s subconscious. It’s best to keep the music at a manageable volume, stay focused on the road, and be aware of the responsibility we hold when others are in the car with us. It’s important to think about what you’re listening to, who’s in the vehicle, and how distractions—whether physical, auditory, or mental—affect your ability to drive safely.
Lastly, following the rules of the road may sound obvious, but it’s one of the most essential ways to prevent accidents. Simple actions like obeying speed limits, maintaining a safe following distance, and stopping for yellow and red lights all contribute to safer roads for everyone. It can be easy to rush or cut corners when we’re in a hurry or feeling pressured, but these basic rules exist for a reason. When we respect these guidelines, we help prevent accidents and make the road a safer place for everyone.
These are just a few initial steps, but becoming a safer driver goes beyond these examples. It’s essential to continuously educate ourselves on responsible driving practices. Taking the time to learn more about how we can combat reckless driving is crucial, and each small adjustment can lead to a meaningful impact. Whether it’s through formal driver’s education or personal commitment, staying informed about safe driving practices is the first step toward success. It’s up to us to recognize our role in making the roads safer, no matter how experienced or confident we feel behind the wheel.