Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow

Alert Today – Alive Tomorrow

When a driver gets behind the wheel of a car, they are not thinking about the intensity and responsibility of the vehicle they are inside of. They are probably thinking about where they’re going, if they’ll be late, and can they stop for coffee on the way. The truth is, a driver needs to consider the importance of safety when driving a vehicle. For me, I didn’t really care that much about driving, but I found myself in a Drivers Education class at my school junior year. I figured it would be an easy A, learn how to drive around a few cones, get a good grade on my notebook and I would be on my way. What I didn’t realize was the important information I would learn from that class that could one day save my life, and those around me. In Drivers Education, I learned how many deaths happen as a result of reckless driving. These facts were the same as provided on the DmvEdu website, that “the total number of Americans who die within the span of two years as a result of driving is more than the total number of American deaths from the Vietnam war.” That is a huge revelation to a driver, as driving is an important part of many people’s daily lives, and safety and alertness should be priority when behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. In Drivers Education, I learned about the intensity of these deaths, and a few guest speakers even came into my class and told us a story about how they had lost a loved one to a reckless driver.

To reduce the number of deaths related to driving, I believe statistics similar to the one presented on the DmvEdu website should be more prominent and easily accessible to drivers and consumers on social media. Every day, the typical American with a phone is shown content of their choice on social media, and a few sponsored driving ads to remind them to be smart a safe driver could be the voice that saves a life one day. Showing these statistics and empowering influencers and content creators with the knowledge to share to their audience could be a simple way to increase the awareness of the importance of safe driving.

In my personal life, I have been in the car with friends or family members that have driven irresponsibly, and when this happens I am reminded to practice the proper safety procedures when I drive myself or others around. I may be hungry on the way to the store, but is trying to eat a burger and drive worth someone else’s life? I may love jamming out to music with my friends, but is hearing my favorite song super loud worth someone else’s wellbeing? I may feel weird constantly looking around as I change lanes, but isn’t that worth someone else’s future? We say “treat others with kindness,” but honestly, that starts with safe driving.