Behind the Wheel

Behind the Wheel

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimate of 8,870 people died in motor vehicle crashes in the second quarter of 2020. By being a driver, you not only have to ensure that you are driving as safe as possible but must be a defensive driver in case someone else is not driving safely. These measures must be prioritized, and it starts as soon as we get behind the wheel.

Unfortunately, the most common cause of car accidents is distracted driving. This can include texting and driving, talking to passengers, or simply changing a song or radio station. When getting in the car, it is important to put your phone on Do not Disturb to be sure that you are not tempted to touch it. Something as small as checking the time or reading a text message can cause an accident. When talking to passengers, make sure your eyes are still on the road. It is crazy how fast a car crash can happen; this can be from a car running a red light, speeding, and not checking your blind spots when merging.

When I was 10 years old, I was in the car while the driver was texting. I remember it like it was yesterday; I was extremely nervous and knew that it was not safe. I am thankful that nothing bad happened, and I took that as a learning experience. I never want to put my life or my passengers’ lives in danger. While it is crucial to be a safe driver, you must also be a defensive one. You must stay alert in case another driver is not driving efficiently. A car could swerve into your lane, run a red light, speed, and even run a stop sign. We have to be mindful of our lives and everyone else’s.

Nonetheless, we can prevent this from happening one day at a time. If we are in the car with someone who puts our lives at risk, we can attempt to stop them. When getting behind the wheel, make sure your seatbelt is on, your phone is silenced, and your only focus is on the road. Never get behind the wheel if you have been drinking or under the influence of any sort. Always remember that your life is precious, and people need you; use that as your motivation when driving.