Driving Towards Safety

Thoughts of cruising down the highway, adoring late-night city lights, colorized by the sip of alcohol and the euphoria of loud music is a dream of many teenagers. Turning 16 in some states symbolizes not just access to a car, but access to freedom, and by extension, to fun.

And it is fun until cruising down the highway turns into rushing to the hospital, clinging onto either your life or your loved ones, wishing you had never gone out that night in the first place. “If only we had seen that car coming towards us. If only we had turned on time. Or if we decelerated before it was too late.”

The problem wasn’t going out, it was unsafe and reckless driving. People in general, let alone teenagers deserve to have fun and freedom, but with great power comes great responsibility. Thankfully, there are ways to ensure they receive both without making a tradeoff.

The power of education goes a long way. Mandating Driver’s Education, which isn’t a requirement in every state, is key to ensuring safety. It allows teenagers and new drivers to understand the rules of the road, increases awareness of safety, checks back on any gaps in understanding, and sets the standard for safe driving. By going through Driver’s Ed, teenagers should feel comfortable going on the road, knowing that they will be as long as they abide by the rules and drive with caution.

But, that begs the question: How come we still witness a myriad of accidents despite Driver’s Ed being mandatory in 32 states? It is because people often forget the implications of unsafe driving, especially ones that don’t seem as strict. For example, a firm rule stating you must wait until the light turns green sticks in someone’s mind more than a one-line sentence reminding them they should not be distracted.

But, the blame for unsafe driving isn’t always towards the driver. The problem of accidents stems from a wider place—poor urban planning and architecture. There are several instances of roads being unsafe, whether it’s obvious at first or not. From unsafe mergers onto highways that may cause blindspots, to potholes, to confusing traffic signs, these small differences have big consequences. Furthermore, even faint or poorly drawn lines or uncleared snow/ice can cause accidents, even if the driver is paying attention. The need for safe driving environments is one that extends not just to citizens, but to governments as a whole. The Transportation Department is as responsible as the individual driver; it is only with a collective effort can we work towards constructive change.

In that vein, the proper and just execution of Law Enforcement is vital for road safety. Having police officers pull people over to cross the speeding limit and break the rules serves as a reminder for people to follow the rules and check back on their mistakes. Even though people might ridicule the hastiness of getting stopped for a trivial mistake, sometimes these small accidents can snowball into larger problems. In addition, they increase the probability of such behavior occurring again. If a person forgets to turn the signal before switching lanes, it might slide the first few times. But, as this behavior continues, the probability that a vehicle might slam into the car. As such, it’s important to remind people to check back on people’s actions and minimize the chance of accidents.

But, sometimes accidents aren’t even in the hands of the driver or the Transportation Department. They’re in the hands of others. Safety on the road is a two-sided street (pun intended), hinging upon the ways everyone is driving. If there is a reckless person in the car next to you, an accident is a very real possibility despite you driving safely. Common in metropolitan areas or even on highways, people are immersed in texting, “zig-zagging” and speeding. Unfortunately, it isn’t possible to inform these people of their reckless driving while on the road. So, the next best option is to ensure you are keeping distance in any way, shape, or form you can. Attempting to stay away from the vehicle, slowing down to make sure you have time in case something happens, and staying extra focused are all appropriate means of doing the best you can on the road. If the situation is too dangerous, calling the proper authorities is always the right step to take, because you are not just worried about your own safety on the road, but everyone around you.

With the severe implications of unsafe driving in mind, I plan on taking appropriate precautions to ensure I am safe on the road. First and foremost, I plan on taking Driver’s Ed. Education is critical for the safety of our drivers and our nation. On a micro scale, I will ensure I complete mine and advise my friends to do the same. On a broader scope, our government should necessitate Driver’s Education and strengthen law enforcement to ensure the well-being of citizens.

At Driver’s Ed, I also plan on keeping a notebook to store notes so I can occasionally come back to them. Forgetting the miniature details is quite easy, but sometimes even remembering the smallest of rules goes a long way. Speaking of small steps, I have already thought of a few “must-do’s” on the road, such as avoiding loud music, not reaching out to my phone, checking the mirrors before I leave, and more. If I am in the car with a friend, I can gently remind them to do the same, and on a larger scale, I can help spread awareness regarding safe driving. Constructive change can only happen with collaborative efforts. The fate of our safe driving rests in the hands of our citizens, and hopefully, those hands rest on the driving wheel.