Safer Roads for a Brighter Future

On the night of May 30th of last year, I stepped into my car as I would any other day and did not imagine that my life would be changed forever. As I sat at a stoplight in Dolton, Illinois, I was struck by a drunk driver who had lost control of their vehicle. Most of that night is a big puzzle in my mind that has slowly been pieced together through my reading of police reports, many witnesses, medical summaries, and endless questions for my family. After waking up in the hospital, my mother explained what had happened the night before and then went on to tell me about all of the injuries I sustained, which included: a left humerus fracture, a left radius fracture, left and right femur fracture, a right wrist hairline fracture, a concussion, bleeding on my spinal cord, fluid on the left side of my brain, and severe nerve damage from a brachial plexus injury in my right arm. I was blessed to have made it out of the accident alive, especially when considering the many others who have had an entirely different fate. The accident was something I believed would never happen to me, and I think a lot of times when we drive past accidents or see them on the news we think that could never be us, but that’s just not true. I believed that the months of preparation with my mom and in my driver’s ed classes meant I would be ready for the road. I believed my avoiding expressways and taking the streets every drive would also mean avoiding an accident. Although I do believe I was adequately prepared for the basics of the road, I was not nearly prepared for the negligence of someone else and the other real-life situations that I eventually ran into.

I was 16 at the time of my accident–still a brand new driver– and according to the AAA Foundation, “Drivers ages 16-17 continue to have the highest rates of crash involvement, injuries to themselves and others and deaths of others in crashes in which they are involved.” This group of new drivers is the group getting into the most accidents and I believe it is because the curriculum we are taught in driver’s ed doesn’t fully prepare us for the unpredictable nature of the road. The virtual simulations of a deer running out into the road can only do so much for these new drivers. Instead of these online simulations being the only time driver’s ed students experience an unexpected road situation, there needs to be less time restricting practice time to relatively safe conditions, such as driving during the day on a side road, and more time spent exposing novice drivers to more complicated situations, such as driving at night or in snow. I think the time frame in which we are placed out into the road also needs to be re-evaluated. I think it would be helpful to mandate that teens have at least nine months to a year’s worth of driving experience with an adult before they are even allowed to get their license. Although it would be nearly impossible to ensure this happens, it could be advocated more in commercials, news articles, and even in the driver’s ed curriculum. I believe the more time that we spend on the road before getting our license will inevitably place us into these unpredictable experiences and help us to develop instinctive responses to these situations. Having an informed driver next to us will also provide new drivers with the guidance they need to excel in these situations.

I could tell you better than anyone that when we step into that car, drive off, and begin our day, not only should we be driving and ensuring our safety, but the safety of others too. I think many of us are selfish drivers, and this is the reason people get into their car and drive off after a long night of drinking at their local club, why they choose to speed past the old woman driving in front of them because she’s driving “too” slow, almost driving her off of the road because they need to get to THEIR destination, not realizing she’s going somewhere too; selfish actions like these cause more accidents and tragically bring about more deaths. When we’re behind the wheel, there’s a sense of empathy that has to exist and we have to remind ourselves that there’s another life inside the vehicle next to you, and that person’s safety matters just as much as yours do. There needs to be more emphasis on the fact that when you are driving, it is not only for yourself but for others as well. These reminders that should begin in the driving foundation, could greatly reduce accidents and help us to remain calm and think about the implications of our actions.

Unbeknownst to many–including me until today– distracted driving is the leading cause of car accidents. I assumed that drunk driving and being under the influence was the number one cause, but no, the number one cause of these collisions happens when the people involved are completely alert and coherent. The biggest distraction that grabs our attention while driving is the ring of our phones because of a text, call, notification, etc. The answering of a text or call can be a fatal mistake, but this, like many other things that can be avoided because that message or call can wait. The new additions of the hands-free phone call have been a great improvement to combat distracted driving. Another method I feel could decrease the number of people using their phones while driving would be a camera or sensor that could detect this behind the wheel distracted driving inside the car or even on the roads and the person could be ticketed if much-distracted driving was detected. Before something like this shows up on the scene, we can take the initiative now and do simple things like turning our phone ringer off because that “do not disturb” setting could ultimately save a life.

I know firsthand how negligent driving can negatively affect your own life or the lives of others. I believe as the years progress, the road will become a safer place, and teens will be better prepared for the newfound freedom that comes along with driving. It is important that we perform these safe practices now to cultivate safer roads for the future.