Stay in Your Lane, Seriously

As a teen, one of the things I want to check off my to-do list is getting my driver’s license. Driving is something that most Americans, if not everyone, attempt once in their lives. For something so common, it would be expected that the understanding of how to do it safely would be commonplace. However, that is not the case. Each year, the number of traffic fatalities in the United States matches that of our major wars. That doesn’t even begin to encompass the non-fatal accident numbers each year. Tragically, most of these deaths could be actively avoided if drivers were more conscious about practicing safe driving techniques.

Unsafe driving is done in many ways. Whether it is through distractions with the devices of other passengers or with reckless behavior like speeding, there are too many ways that an accident can be caused. Not paying attention to the road or the nearby surroundings can endanger both the driver and their passenger. With reckless behavior like speeding, there are too many ways that an accident can be caused. Not paying attention to the road or the nearby surroundings can endanger both the driver and their passengers. There are also issues regarding various substances and non-sober driving, which is the amalgamation of several issues wrapped into one, and those circumstances can get exceptionally dangerous. Of course, there are also nature-related accidents that are mostly out of the driver’s control, but they too can be minimized by practicing the things taught in a drivers’ education course.

Taking a driver’s education course is something that is accessible, and while it’s not the most fun, it’s necessary for a reason. Knowing the rules of the road helps keep people safe from unnecessary incidents that can be avoided. Through various PSAs and the local state rules of the road manual, students can study and learn what they need to know in a facilitated environment. If they opt out of taking a class, they should go to a responsible adult and ask for information. Some people are taught by reckless drivers and grow up to continue the line of people who are careless behind the wheel.

In my own family, there is a history of poor driving. Whether it’s speeding, driving on the wrong side of the road, or distracted driving, I’ve seen it all. This type of driving has not been without consequences. I’ve been a witness to many accidents in my few years alive, and while it’s fortunate that none of them were fatal, it instilled the importance of safe driving in me. I’ve seen the extents of the damage these accidents can cause, and I work actively to make sure that myself and those around me don’t become another statistic on a graph about the dangers of driving.

Just recently, my mother and I were in a three-car accident where a speeding car hit a minivan that hit us. Luckily, my mother was able to respond quickly and safely break without hitting the car in front of her. It was a scary incident, but the problem arose from the fact that while all three drivers were exchanging information, two cars in the next lane over got into a similar accident. Both cars at fault were actively speeding at night, and one of the drivers of those cars had in-ear buds while driving, which is another wrong thing to do when controlling a vehicle. The fact that there were two accidents at the same time under the same circumstances was an example of just how important it is to get people to understand the value of safe driving. Both of the drivers at fault were also younger, which can be attributed to the lack of relevance they think driver’s ed has now, which is sad.

Information distribution is key to trying to remedy this issue, even a little. Many underprivileged communities aren’t able to access proper information on things like driver safety, and as much as billboards and TV commercials try to help, they don’t do anything. More programs should be pushed in schools to emphasize their importance, but that is a big step. Right now, I try to play my part by encouraging those around me to take driver’s ed courses, and when it comes to my friends who can drive, I try to encourage them to drive on the safe side because they’re more eager to get out there.

There is a large gap between driving readiness in an emotional or mental way and driving preparedness in an action-oriented way. A person may feel ready to drive, but if they are physically unable to react appropriately or make the conscious effort to drive safely, there is a problem. Helping others close that gap is important, and even if the number of people making the change is small, there will still be change. Every little thing matters. Driving safely matters.