Driving Towards Safety

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,308 people lost their lives to distracted drivers in 2022 alone. That’s 3,308 families forever changed in an instant. Reflecting on my own experience, I realize that I was never formally educated about the dangers of driving. While I’m grateful it was a topic of discussion in my home, I strongly believe there needs to be a greater emphasis on awareness and education for everyone. I believe society as a whole should take proactive steps to better educate individuals within the driving age. For many new drivers, getting behind the wheel is an exciting milestone. The newfound freedom, independence, and fewer demands on parents to ensure their kids get to where they need to be. However, this excitement often overshadows the potential risks and responsibilities that come with driving.

I believe programs, like D.A.R.E., could be a basis format to expand within high school assemblies and DMV locations. By having these specific locations in mind, they could focus specifically on distracted driving, impairment, and speeding. Interactive sessions, real-life testimonials from accident survivors, and simulations could make these lessons more impactful and memorable for students and parents. Additionally, incorporating mandatory driving safety courses into high school curriculums or as part of the process to obtain a driver’s license could further reinforce these lessons. Campaigns like “It Can Wait” that address the risks of texting and driving should also partner with schools and community organizations to reach a broader audience. For parents, workshops or informational sessions could help them understand their role in modeling good driving behavior and instilling these habits in their children. Providing them with tools and resources to monitor and support their teen drivers could significantly improve outcomes.

The goal is to create a culture of accountability and awareness. Every driver should understand that all actions have consequences and could impact not only themselves but those around them. Stronger reinforcement of safe driving practices, we can work toward reducing the number of deaths and injuries caused by preventable accidents.

My passion for this started in 5th grade when I was involved in a severe car accident because of someone’s action. Though this was some time ago, it was an experience that continues to leave an impact on me today. We were on our way home from church, we were breaking out of spring and the weather was perfect for the windows to be down and music breaking the barrier of laughter. We were waiting at a traffic light making small talk about what we learned at church. I remember looking along with my mom and the way was clear, instead we were blind sighted by a side collision. The impact was so intense that our car tipped onto two wheels. Sitting in the passenger seat, I remember the unforgettable sound and what seemed like forever before we were back on the ground. I can still recall the distinct smell of airbags and burnt rubber. I remember not finishing my root beer Dumdum because of my panic attack and hyperventilation. Within my panic state I remember looking over at my 4-year-old brother and seeing the bruise from the airbag that had gone off.

Thankfully, we walked away with only bruises and minor scratches, but it could have been so much worse. These few minutes could have resulted in a more serious outcome. This experience has deeply shaped my understanding of how dangerous distracted driving can be. It’s not just about you; it’s about the lives of everyone on the road. It’s about the driver, the families whose lives could be forever changed.

From this experience I vowed that I would not let my phone be a reason to jeopardize my safety and those around me. My phone automatically turns off whenever motion is detected. Using this feature allows me to choose my song selection, send and receive texts before I start driving. This keeps me accountable when I pick up my phone while on the road. Additionally, wearing a seatbelt is a priority. It’s a rule in my car that we don’t drive anywhere until everyone has their seatbelts on. Safety is more important than anything else. One thing that I would like to work on is the volume that my music is at when I’m driving. There’s nothing wrong with driving with music, but it can become a dangerous distraction if I’m unable to hear emergency vehicles or other cars around me.

Creating a lasting change in driver safety requires a collective effort to prioritize education, accountability, and awareness. Driving is a privilege that comes with significant responsibilities, and all should understand the risks and consequences of unsafe behavior. By expanding educational campaigns, and fostering open conversations between parents and new drivers, I think there will be a significant decrease in deaths from driving.

Personal experiences like my own serve as powerful reminders of the potential consequences of distracted driving. The trauma of that moment has stayed with me, shaping my commitment to safe driving practices and my desire to see others prioritize safety as well. Ultimately, driver safety is about more than individual actions but about protecting the lives of everyone who shares the road. With dedication we can work where accidents are decreased, and every journey begins and ends in safety.