Safety Among the Unexpected

When it comes to driver’s education, it’s important to emphasize that the vehicle they’re conducting transportation with is also a weapon. The statistics in the past decade, specifically in the United States, demonstrate a crisis in the streets and highways as vehicle collisions remain a top cause of death. Considering the space across the urban metropolis that is Los Angeles County, having a driving vehicle at one’s convenience makes life easier from getting from point A to point B and onward. However, there must be steps to prevent an irreversible tragedy like death when hitting the road. Advancements in transportation technology are privileges we get to experience as a collective, but to mishandle the responsibility of driving only causes negative outputs into the environment.

As a Los Angeles County local, my family realized the necessity of having cars, so I grew up with the privilege of learning the responsibilities of owning a vehicle. There’s a lot that goes into the equation besides safety which brings me to emphasize the importance of remaining mentally healthy to stay up to date with documentative procedures when it comes to driving an auto vehicle. Much like the debate of gun control, the same conversations and warnings must be emphasized to those who drive cars.

As a neurodivergent and left handed driver, I’ve experienced what many call fender-benders, or, minor accidents that involve slow-speed and rear end crashes. The way I analyze space as a left handed person is different from that of a right handed person. Because the world is dominated by right handed people, I’ve taken extra caution when driving and have learned to add more carefulness to my driving form. This is not to say that this extra caution is a struggle I experience in life. I’m grateful to be an able-bodied driver and enjoy driving for leisure. For all the years I’ve been a driver, I’ve experienced the pleasures of being in control behind the wheel. I do not experience the appeal or desire to drive under the influence even though there’s a phenomenon that people experience in doing this as it causes them an adrenaline rush. Nature has given me a lesson in experiencing this adrenaline rush without being under the influence through an incident I had when driving in the rain. This past winter during the rainy season, I experienced an accident called hydroplaning which is caused by tires lifting from the ground due to the amount of water on the road. My car made about three or so circles on the 110 freeway and collided with the freeway wall. Thankfully, no other vehicles were involved, but I experienced the trauma of the experience. I had access to auto insurance that towed my car to my apartment, and from that point I had to problem solve. I made sure to go to urgent care to check if my body experienced any impacts to be concerned of, and I made the calls to repair the damages on my car. While I can’t control the rain, I can control my driving and I must admit, I was driving at a speed that did not consider the rain for a moment.

In telling this roadside occurrence I experienced, despite getting out of it safely, I hope to alert the public about the risks of driving a vehicle and the unexpected. This experience cost me my hard earned income, savings, and some of my academic scholarship funds. The occurrence was inconvenient as I was expecting to return to my apartment that night from an evening class from graduate school. Any collision is an inconvenience, but it strikes one more when they know they could have prevented it. Personally, when I’m hearing a real life account of accidents in life, they wake me up to the reality that things can happen unexpectedly. When it comes to driving, sometimes it’s not just us, but who and what is around us. To ensure safety, for the most part, relying on one’s sense of awareness and caution are key. Keeping a sizable distance between other cars when driving is also key. There’s no reason to be near someone’s bumper on the road when traffic is flowing. There’s no reason to take unnecessary risks.

Moving forward on the topic of safer driving, as a California resident, I find it noteworthy to mention the use of cannabis while driving. As of late, I’ve seen more advertisements that point out the reality of cannabis use on the road and it’s not advised. I’ve met many individuals who seem to use cannabis chronically. In California, cannabis use is seen as a form of sobriety, AKA California Sober. While I’m an advocare for the legalization of cannabis and the release of incarcerated folks that have sentences related to cannabis use or sales, I’m on track with driving completely sober. Not only does driving while high cause a higher risk of losing focus on the road, but it also disrespects the natural plant that is cannabis itself which provides many people healing, relaxation, pain relief, and other benefits.

While advancements in transportation continue, such as the transition to zero emission vehicles and even self-driving cars, the conversation on safe driving mustn’t stop as the unexpected could hit any of us at any moment.