Take the First Step

I live in quite a large city. Austin, Texas has a bustling downtown and many busy roads all around my hometown. My parents were so nervous to let me start leaving our safe neighborhood because of how dangerous other drivers can be. According to ATCEMS data, the intersection I drive every day to get to school- RM 2222 and FM 620- is in the top 10 locations for injury wrecks in Texas. As worried parents, mine are very aware that the three leading causes of serious accidents in Texas are distracted driving, driving under the influence, and speeding. While I cannot control the drivers around me, in my first full year, I wanted to ensure that I would not be a hazard on the road, and that I actively avoided all three incidents. 

I am thankful that I learned so much about driving in the year that I had my

learner’s permit and took the driver education courses required by the state of

Texas for all new drivers. Drivers’ education explains the effects of unsafe driving and prepares new drivers for different situations. Many of the lessons in driver’s

education explained that the number of deaths from auto accidents can be decreased if people paid more attention while driving and followed through on the lessons learned in the courses for better and safer driving. It is crucial that driving becomes less dangerous, especially since it is currently more dangerous than fighting in a war. 

Decreasing deaths through driver’s education is not only possible but it is also the most convenient choice. Where else do you find an option so wide-spread, accessible, and efficient? Some great examples I learned through the courses include putting away your phone while driving to reduce the temptation to send a text back or finish a level of a game you had paused. This step would help decrease the number of accidents and deaths caused by distracted drivers. Another idea I learned would be talking to your friends and family and offering to drive them home if they are ever out drinking. Many drunk drivers don’t call people because they don’t want to disturb someone and won’t pay for an uber. In turn, ask your friends and family if you can count on them if the situation ever arises for yourself so you know that all your bases are covered. By providing your support, you can help save lives. Another idea I liked understanding that it is better to be late than never arrive. By this, I mean that whether you are late to work, or hanging out with friends, speeding can get people killed and you shouldn’t risk an accident. It is better to arrive late than never arrive. Taking this step will help slow down speeders.

I personally have had experience with many distracted drivers, but the most memorable was when I was sitting in the passenger seat. My friends Abby, Maddie, and I were all heading home together after hanging out at our other friend’s house and exhausted from a long day. It was around 9 pm so it was dark outside in the residential neighborhood. Maddie and I hopped in Abby’s car as she turned the ignition key to start the car. After we all buckled our seatbelts, Abby hit the gas and we started our journey back. Only a minute after we pulled out of the driveway, Abby began messing with the music to get a good song on for us. That’s when the car jolted, and I let out a shriek as it jolted again. Abby hit a parked car. Twice. After quickly making sure that all three of us were okay, we pulled over and got out of the car to see the damage. There was a dent in the parked car, and something looked wrong with Abby’s wheel, but we couldn’t tell what. Abby and I both called our dads to have them come help us and when my dad got there first, he knew immediately that the tire was messed up. Soon we had two dads trying to figure out what to do with three teenage girls, a white Subaru that won’t move and a freshly dented parked car at 9:15 pm on a Sunday. We eventually wrote a note to the owner of the parked car and we all had a very good lesson about why you can never be distracted while driving, even if you are in a neighborhood and have only been driving for one minute.

But I can’t hark on Abby too much, because while it was a great learning experience, I am still guilty of messing with my music while driving. I understand this is dangerous and it is one I’m working on breaking. In addition to this, glancing at my phone, as I’m sure many others do, is one of those things where it only takes one time to turn into an accident. I can also take the first step by reminding my friends to not glance at their phones or let me change the music if I’m in the passenger seat to keep us all safe. Ensuring that I am not a distracted driver- or a drunk or speeding driver- will keep everyone safe on the road!