Modern Day Battlefields

Driving is an essential part of living in the United States of America. For most drivers, it is something that has almost become second nature. Because Americans drive so often, it is thought to be of little importance and of little risk. Not many people know that over 34,000 people die as a result of driving every year. This means that there are more Americans who die on the roads in 2 years than in the American soldiers who fought in the Vietnam War. Essentially, our streets are a living breathing battlefield filled with polite waving and loud honking. Americans need to be taught ways they can reduce the number of deaths related to driving, including taking driving courses, never texting and driving, and being fully sober while driving.

If more people knew the death toll of driving in America, there would be lots more caution driving everyday- to work, to the grocery store, to home, or even to friends’ home. The risks in driving are talked about in a way that makes it seem that it could never happen to you or to anyone you know. And when there is an accident, it comes as a huge shock. This concept needs to be understood in a more realistic sense, as a risk you take as you drive anywhere. I learned this concept early in my youth when my parents were driving me home from a lake party. I remember being sleepy in the back seat, when all of a sudden, my dad swerved to pull off the side of the road when we passed a massive flame. I perked up feeling both curiosity and trepidation. There was a black SUV that had run into a pole of an overpass and ejected the passenger into the middle of the road. The driver was stuck inside of the car that was caught on fire. My dad ran to the driver and my mom went to grab the passenger out of the road in the safest manner possible. I was too young to help, so I sat there helpless watching my parents safe the lives of two random strangers. The driver of the car was stuck- the door was jammed, the window wasn’t budging, and the fire was getting closer to him. My dad threw a block of concrete that came off of the pole into the window finally breaking it. He pulled out the man from the car. His femur was broken and poking out of his skin in multiple places. That was the drunkest I have ever seen someone in my life to this day. The passenger was taken to a place far away from the car closer to where I was sitting. The police, fire department, and medical emergency teams had gotten there, but not before the car exploded. Thankfully, the man and woman were so drunk they couldn’t feel most of the pain from their injuries. The next day we learned through local newspaper that they were alive and going to be okay. It was the most terrifying moment I have ever witnessed, and it taught me a lesson I could never forget- the road is just a road, it can’t help you once you make a mistake. You have to be proactive in driving otherwise you could end up like that driver and passenger my parents risked their lives to safe.

There are many ways to be proactive while driving. You should always be sober while driving. If you are drunk, or think you are too tired or emotional, step away from the wheel. You shouldn’t drive. If you are wanting to text, put your phone down. Sending that text is not as important as focusing on the road ahead and the drivers who are next to you. If you are worried that you aren’t a great driver, there are many courses you can take for defensive driving. These classes are great ways to learn how and practice safe driving.

Sometimes you may not be driving yourself, and have someone else driving. This can feel a lot scarier because you have less control of the car. If you are in a car and feel unsafe, think about why you are feeling that way and ask how you can help your driver be safe. If your driver is texting, ask if you can send that text instead of them. If they are wanting to change the music, grab the phone or radio and change it for them. If your friend is tipsy, make sure to not let them drive. Grab their keys or have a preplanned sober driver ready to take you safely home.

If we can all take steps to increase safety including- sober driving, no texting while driving, and taking defensive driving courses, then we can reduce the number of accidents and deaths. All of these steps are easy to do and can be done by anyone. If you are in a car where someone else is practicing risky driving, ask them to stop or ask how you can help instead. Make driving safer and transform our streets from battlefields into an agreement of peace.