Staying Alive Behind the Wheel: A 17 Year Old’s Insight

I have had the importance of safe driving instilled in me since I was a young child. My mom was a police officer for almost twenty-six years, and I overheard many conversations that have stayed with me to this day. She told the story of an accident scene that impacted her and still does to this day. The call came out as a “vehicle against vehicle” with numerous victims on scene. When she arrived, she found two cars, one on the side of the road with front end damage, and another in the middle of the road upside down with extensive damage to the driver’s side. As she ran to the vehicle in the middle of the road, she heard screaming. What my mom found was something that she still talks about today. She found an entire family unresponsive, hanging upside down by their seatbelts and car seats, except for the nine-year-old girl who was screaming. The entire family of five ended up dying from their injuries. All from an accident that was not their fault. The other car contained a driver who was driving under the influence. He was speeding on a dark road and slammed into the minivan containing the family coming home from Disneyland.

This is just one of the many stories and conversations I heard while growing up. These stories are the reason I realized that cars, while necessary and convenient, can also be deadly weapons. Sharing in my mom’s experiences planted the seed in my mind that driving is not something to be taken lightly.

Now that I am driving, I understand the importance of driver’s education, and how it can reduce the number of people that die every year caused by car accidents. I can honestly say that when I started driver’s education, I was not overly excited or happy about it. I looked at it as just another requirement to check off before moving ahead in my young adult years and getting my license. But as I went through the lessons, learning about defensive driving, the dangers of speeding, and the importance of maintaining your car, I realized just how much knowledge I lacked. Driver’s education gave me the tools and awareness to make better decisions on the road. I found that I wasn’t just taught how to operate a vehicle; it also taught me how to respect the immense responsibility that comes with it.

I feel like one of the most effective ways to reduce driving-related deaths is by improving, emphasizing and making this type of education more exciting. Driver’s education should be more than just a class, it should be a life-saving course that makes an impact on those that take it long after the permit test is passed. Some of the ways this can be possible is through schools and communities. They can provide simulations, guest speakers (like accident survivors or police officers), and regular refresher driving courses to keep safety top of mind.

One program that my mom was a part of and that also had a huge impact on my older siblings is the “Every 15 Minute” program. This program is described as “a two-day immersive and emotionally charged anti-drunk driving awareness campaign” that highlights the statistic that someone dies from drunk driving every fifteen minutes. My siblings told me that there is a staged drunk driving accident scene, and some of the kids are chosen to be the victims, and the families of the victims even get death notifications. This program is a community effort with first responders, schools and other community entities. Unfortunately, my high school doesn’t offer this program. But this is a great example of raising awareness in a way that can be exciting and impactful.

Another key step to keep people alive would be for law enforcement to consistently enforce the laws about not only drunk driving, but also distracted driving, speeding, and impaired driving. Although drunk driving is the factor that is most talked about, these other behaviors are some of the biggest contributors to fatal accidents. If more strict laws are enacted, I feel these contributors can be deterred.

Not only have I heard stories and conversations from my mom and siblings, but I’ve also seen what irresponsible driving looks like up closely. One of my best friends used to text constantly while driving. After almost rearending someone while she was on Snapchat, I told her I would no longer drive with her again unless she followed the laws. Something did come from this near miss. It scared my friend enough to always put her phone away as she drives. I learned that sometimes, all it takes is one close call to wake us up.

I have also seen my own family members make bad choices. Our family is very large, and we throw large parties. Unfortunately, I have watched family members drive home after drinking at the parties while insisting they were “fine.” I am always worried when they leave that they will get pulled over or something worse.

The above-mentioned experiences have taught me that poor decisions behind the wheel don’t just affect the driver, they affect everyone in the car, and everyone else on the road. These moments have made me not only think harder about what kind of driver I want to be but put my knowledge into action.

To become a better and safer driver, I have made a personal commitment to several key things. First, I will always put my phone away when I get in the car. If I need to change music or check a message, I will wait until I am at my location or pull over safely. Second, I will be patient. I know that rushing to get somewhere isn’t worth the possibility of being in a crash. I will try to make sure I leave with enough time to get to my destination, plan and know my route, and stay calm even if other drivers are aggressive or erratic. Finally, I will make it a point to speak up if I am in a car with someone who’s driving irresponsibly, I won’t stay silent. I know it may be uncomfortable, but I would rather be uncomfortable and stay alive.

I also believe that helping others become safer on the road is part of that commitment too. I will talk to my younger brother about what I’ve learned, share my experiences with friends and family, lead by example, and encourage everyone to think about the impact their driving habits can have on not only them, but also everyone on the road with them. Spreading awareness will make a huge impact!

Driving is a privilege, not a right, and unsafe driving can come with real consequences. Every time we get behind the wheel, we make a choice that affects more than just ourselves. The lessons I have learned through driver’s education, personal experience, and the mistakes of others, have taught me to treat this right with the seriousness it deserves. If we all commit to being more mindful, more informed, and more responsible, I believe we can reduce the number of driving-related deaths and create safer roads for everyone.