Name: Jin Yan
From: Lubbock, TX
Votes: 0

The Truth About Goodbyes

March
29, 2016.

A
day that will be forever etched in my memory.

I
remember that it was a cold Tuesday morning.

I
remember saying my usual “Good morning” as I climbed the steps of
the school bus.

I
remember looking in my spot and realizing she was not there.

I
remember thinking that maybe she was sick or out with family.

I
remember the unsettling silence in the hallways.

I
remember the hazy confusion in the aftermath of the announcement.

She
had been hit by a car the previous day. She was pronounced dead at
the scene.

I
remember avoiding that seat on the bus for the rest of the year.

In
the aftermath, horrifying images kept flashing through my mind. How
could this happen?
How
did it happen? Was the driver intoxicated?

I
never found out exactly what happened. I like to think that she was
happy in the moments before the end.

In
2018, researchers from the University of Michigan Injury Prevention
Center analyzed death certificates of 1-19 year olds in America
(Newman). Of the 20,360 deaths, 4,074, or 20%, died due to motor
vehicle crashes (Newman). There are many factors that contribute to
these shocking numbers. In 2019, 69% of US drivers ages 18-64 said
they text while driving (TeenSafe). The maximum amount of time a
driver can safely look away from the road is two seconds; however,
the average amount of time to send a text message is five seconds
(TeenSafe). 26% of all motor vehicle accidents are related to texting
and driving (TeenSafe). Why are these numbers so high when 41 states
in the US prohibit texting and driving (Idrivesafely)? It’s clear
that these measures aren’t working.

Texting
and driving isn’t the only factor. In 2016, 10,497 people died in
alcohol-impaired related crashes, “accounting for 28% of all
traffic-related deaths” in the US (CDC). Of the 1,233
traffic-related deaths among children ages 0 to 14 years old, 17%
involved an intoxicated driver (CDC). Additionally, in 2016, 43.6% of
fatally injured drivers tested positive for drugs and more than 50%
of these drivers had two or more drugs in their system at the time of
death (National Institute on Drug Abuse). Again, why are these
numbers so high when states have put forth so much legislature on
drinking and drug use while driving?

Why
do so many people continue to take these risks and put both
themselves and others in danger despite what the numbers clearly
show? Perhaps the consequences aren’t real because they aren’t
personal. But it can happen to anyone. One harmless text could
destroy an innocent person’s life.

So,
what can we do? Constant messages funded by states about seat belts
and not texting or using substances while driving seem to go through
one ear and out the other. One of the best ways to target this issue
is to start at the core and revise the drivers ed system
for teens. Teens account for a large portion of traffic related
deaths due to inexperience and negligence. While current driver’s
ed programs already aim to educate teens about the dangers of
distracted driving, there needs to be more modules and videos with
personal testimonies. Teens should be asked to put themselves into
the shoes of someone who lost a loved one to a distracted driver.
Schools should implement more curriculum surrounding distracted
driving by requiring teachers to organize class discussions, share
online resources with students, and offer an open ear to any student
who has something private to share. Many teens grow up thinking that
texting and driving is normal because they see adult figures in their
lives doing it. Parents and teachers should set a good example and
stop the normalization of distracted driving in our culture and
society. Many teens may also think that it’s “cool” or
“rebellious” to use drugs or drink while driving. Again, the best
way to target this issue is to encourage adult figures to set a good
example early on and implement additional curriculum in schools such
as inviting guest speakers who have been impacted by a traffic
fatality and asking students to lead discussions and activities in
classrooms.

While
technology can be a huge distractor in a car and lead to fatalities,
it can also help prevent distracted driving. There are many online
resources from the CDC, National Safety Council, TeenDrive365, and
more. There are also incentives to complete quizzes and interactive
activities about distracted driving for chances to win scholarships
or discounts on insurance. Some companies like State Farm offer
online simulations and coaching apps. Nintendo and PS4 have developed
driving games to promote safety on the road. In addition,
advancements such as cell-phone blocking apps, automatic braking, and
lane departure warning all help drivers to minimize distractions and
focus on the road. Systems like Siri and Amazon Echo can
automatically send messages and dial numbers through voice
activation. Transportation alternatives like Uber and Lyft provide
options for those who don’t have designated drivers. Emerging
technologies will continue to make it easier to control things
hands-free through voice activation and other automatic systems.

Safe
driving has always been an important part of my life but since that
life-changing day, I’ve been adamant about the necessary
precautions in the car. I hope that in the future, a cell phone or a
can of beer is not only seen as a method of communication or a way to
relax but also a potential cause of death. I hope that in the future,
more and more people will begin to see those numbers that flash on
signs on the side of the road not as insignificant digits but sons
and daughters and parents and grandparents and friends who tragically
lost their lives because of something that could’ve been easily
avoided. I hope that other young girls will never experience the
horrifying silence that comes with losing a friend.