Thinking While Driving

Thinking While Driving

People die on a daily basis due to car wrecks. Sometimes, people do not think about how their careless driving can impact others. Driving carelessly can lead to serious injuries or even death. In a way, today’s society encourages bad driving skills. Many people joke about being “bad drivers” and brush it off. Drinking and driving is also very dangerous but many people do it. It is important to realize ways to change people’s mindset on driving. Driving is not a video game, one simple mistake could kill someone. Driving carelessly not only impacts yourself, but others. So, think before you drive!

On social media, there are always jokes and memes about bad driving. These simple jokes may seem harmless, but they are not. Subconsciously these jokes encourage people to drive recklessly. When people comment things on these posts like, “true” and “same”, it makes it seem like it is normal to drive badly. Many people also often joke about how they speed when they are late to work, school, or an event. This is not okay because the speed limit must be followed at all times. It is put there based off the road and area that they are driving on. Speeding may seem harmless to the person. Be honest, if you have ever sped, most likely your biggest concern was if a cop saw you speeding and pulled you over. You were not thinking about the serious effects, like hitting oncoming traffic and causing a wreck. Cops are not there to just give out tickets. They are there to prevent wrecks. Their job is to protect and serve the community. Many people get mad at cops for simply doing their jobs, but they have seen wrecks. They know, firsthand the consequences of careless driving.

Drinking and driving is a major factor that leads to car wrecks. Recently, in my hometown, a whole family suffered the effects of being hit by a drunk driver. My town, Fort Gibson, is a small town. I did not personally know this family but many people I knew, did. They were the Impson Family; a mom, dad, daughter, and son. They were a loving and caring family just on their way to an event. When boom, their whole life changed, due to someone who was drinking and driving. A daughter and son, left without their mother and father. Having to wake up and realize that their life would never be the same. To one day, understand that this crash could have been prevented. Life is not a video game, we do not get second chances. Our actions have consequences. The drunk driver died immediately from the crash but even if he had survived, imagine the guilt he would have had to carry daily. If someone knows that they will be drinking, find ways to travel safely! Be prepared and do what you must to drive safely! Trust me, you will not want to have to deal with the permanent consequences from a temporary, thoughtless mistake.

There are many steps people can take to improve the safeness on the road. Drivers education, specifically talks about the dangers of driving unsafely. I remember the detailed videos of gruesome car wrecks. They were gross and I did not want to see them. However, when I get in my car, I put on my seat belt. I think of why I need to drive safe to prevent those things from happening. Those videos are reality. They are important to watch and understand because if you drive unsafely, it could be you, in the blink of an eye! Everyone must take driving seriously. I feel like there could be more documentaries of real life car wrecks and how they affected individuals. Car wrecks can cause permanent mental and physical problems an someone. They can also result in death. Schools also need to do a better job at teaching driving safety to teens in high school. My driver’s education course was only two weekends, although I learned a lot, I feel like there should have been a specific class hour at my school dedicated to drivers safety.

In conclusion, everyone needs greater awareness to the effects of dangerous driving. In an instant, someone’s whole life could be changed. As a society, we should joke about careless driving and make it seem like it is “normal”. Rules are there for a reason and they were created to prevent further wrecks. Law enforcement is there to protect and serve people because that is their duty. We must all, think each time that we get into the car about the importance of driving safe. Also, we must remember the damage we could possibly cause if we do not do so. I encourage everyone to motivate others to drive safely. Be an example to others by following the rules of the road at all times. Never forget to buckle up and wear your seatbelt!