Driving Is a Dangerous Luxury

Every teenager pines for the time they can finally have freedom to go where they want, but few new drivers acknowledge the immense responsibility they must accept when on the road. The silent truth is, when you choose to drive recklessly, aggressively, or distractedly, you not only put your life at risk, but you also threaten all the other innocent drivers and passengers also on the road.

I went on a short road trip with two friends this summer. We would each be taking turns driving to South Dakota from Colorado, and although they were mostly small roads, we still encountered reckless drivers. My friend was passing two trailers carrying livestock when a truck flew up behind her and forced her to swerve into the small space between the trailers so she wouldn’t be hit from behind. Although no one ended up hurt, it was a scary reminder of the effects an aggressive driver can have.

I believe the answer lies in drivers ed. It is the only chance to appeal to all future drivers, and it can be used to instill good habits from the beginning. The program I used danced around using powerful data to explain the dangers of driving. Despite my experience on the road, I had never seen the terrifying numbers cited in the introduction to this scholarship opportunity. I wish I had been introduced to numbers like these much earlier, since it leaves a provoking impact. It is absolutely important to highlight peaceful strategies like defensive driving and teaching new drivers how to react to reckless drivers, but it is also important to keep new drivers from becoming dangerous. One of the best ways to prevent developing bad habits is to show hard facts. Although the numbers are emotionally difficult to face, they will be all the more effective to stick in driver’s minds.

Personally, I work especially hard to reduce distractions, both as a driver and as a passenger. I believe that distractions are one of the most dangerous parts of being on the road. Distracted drivers are unpredictable, so even drivers who have reaction strategies will not have enough time to assess the situation and react safely. If I am driving, my phone goes in a small slot and will not leave there until the car is off. When I have passengers, I will ask them to be quiet in moments where I need to focus. I turn the radio on and off depending on the situation I am in. When others are driving, I offer to read aloud messages and alerts when safe, and if wanted I will respond so they never look off the road or turn on their phones, even at a stop sign or light. It is my small way of making myself and others more safe on the road.

It’s past time for drivers to face the sickening facts: driving is a deadly luxury that needs to be taken seriously.