30 Meters Ahead of A Dead Moose

While enrolled in a 12th-grade Physics class, no one prepares you for the fact that road safety will be mentioned more frequently than force diagrams and kinetic energy. You can imagine the look of perplexity on my face when the challenge question on my quarterly exam was about speeding on a highway, towards a blissfully unaware moose. In the question, students were asked to calculate the position of the car after coming to a complete stop, assuming the driver in both scenarios smashed the brake at the same time, and slowed down at the same speed. The difference though: in the second scenario, the driver is speeding at an extra 5 m/s, which is roughly an additional 11.18 mph. The results were shocking. Just by moving 11.18 mph over the speed limit, the driver in the second scenario ended up not only hitting the moose, but continuing 30 meters past it until the car came to a complete stop.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that over 42,500 people lost their lives in tragic vehicle collisions. Similarly, a study done at the University of Aveiro in Portugal concluded that an estimated 350 million vertebrate animals are slaughtered at the hands of careless drivers. Carelessness is not merely a personality trait, but rather, instilled in the minds of drivers through long, repetitive hours of zombie-like steering on the same, familiar roads they traverse every day to get to work or school or home. Or, on the flip side, an open road that stretches for miles and excites an eager driver to push the gas pedal to see their beloved hunk of metal reach new speeds, not knowing what creature could be marching ahead. Distracted, careless driving is a significant cause of accidents. Driver education plays a crucial role in reducing the number of on-the-road deaths because it fosters a greater understanding of potential risks and hazards, promoting responsible and attentive driving behavior. Drivers should fear death, and that’s why drawing attention towards the severity of risk-taking instills just enough fear to allow even experienced drivers to be more alert on the road. Through promoting awareness and instilling a sense of responsibility, driver education serves as a powerful tool in curbing the tragic toll of driving-related deaths and promoting a safer and more secure driving environment for everyone.

In our modern world, car crashes are all too common, which surprisingly seems to reduce fear among drivers. Since we hear about car accidents all the time, it can’t be worse than a forecasted thunderstorm, right? That’s the unfortunate thought process I have encountered in my peers, parents, and sometimes, even myself, and actions need to be taken to reduce the amount of danger drivers could face. I believe reducing the number of careless drivers starts by creating an environment that fosters safety awareness by encouraging open discussions about the consequences of reckless driving and the responsibility that comes with operating a vehicle. Moreover, employing experienced and responsible driving instructors who not only teach the mechanics of driving but also embody safe driving behaviors is a must. After all, teachers carry the future of their students in the palm of their hand. And, like ducklings, students will adopt their instructor’s attitude and driving habits on the road.

On May 4th, 2023, on West Main Street, a reckless driver struck and killed Shawn Soares, who was walking on the sidewalk and obeying the law. West Main Street is located on VCU campus, the school I am planning to attend in the fall so the death of Shawn Soares truly shook me and my family. The heavy news left me thinking for days, worrying about my own safety and the safety of my sister, who had been dorming just beside the location of the incident. Soares did not know his life would be taken when he left his apartment. He did not know that walking on a supposedly safe sidewalk was not enough to deter a charging vehicle. If the sidewalks aren’t safe, then what is? Soares couldn’t have been less at fault. It was the driver’s reckless speed and distractedness that caused the most devastating loss VCU had seen up to that point in the year. To this day, the death of Shawn Soares drives my motivation to stay attentive each time I hit the road. Pedestrians have families, loved ones, and admirers, just like drivers and it is up to us to constantly look out for each other.

Creating safer roads for all drivers and pedestrians starts by adjusting the way I perceive driving in my daily routine. I aim to constantly remind myself of how easily lives can be taken on the road and how much responsibility I carry each time I get behind the wheel, which encourages me to remain alert at all times and employ safety protocols I learned from my drivers education. Furthermore, eliminating distracted driving is crucial. Drivers should never check their phone or eat while driving; an important rule I constantly implement in my life and the lives of my driving family members.

In conclusion, safe driving is not merely a responsibility but a crucial commitment that impacts the well-being of ourselves and those around us (moose included). It is a continuous journey of learning, adapting, and adopting responsible habits on the road. By adhering to traffic laws, staying focused, and avoiding distractions, we can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and save countless lives.