Switching Lanes

The sky is a vibrant shade of blue, with only a few fluffy clouds and a beady hot sun dotting the horizon of the rocky Sierra ahead. The air is filled with a gentle breeze, the sound of birds singing melodically, and the rev of a ’98 Chevy Silverado zooming on a highway in Zacatecas, Mexico with a ten-year-old girl behind the wheel. I was clenching onto the wheel so hard that my knuckles were white, but my uncle sat next to me nonchalantly sipping on his Corona at blurs of landscape flash past him. It was my first time in Mexico, the country my parents fled after the mine my father worked at collapsed. I was fascinated with the country of my ancestors and with the freedom I had to do things I could not do back in the states, like operate a vehicle.

My obsession with cars started with spending all my tokens playing Fast and Furious racing games at the arcade, gripping the shift knob and crushing the accelerator as a sped through the streets of a pixelized Tokyo on the screen. I eagerly anticipated the driver’s seat as the idea of being in control of such a powerful machine thrilled me. My family could not afford for me to take a Driver’s Ed course, so I studied on my own by reading the Kansas Driving Handbook religiously, marking up the pages with notes, and an assortment of highlights. I downloaded online road sign flashcards and completed online practice tests to prepare me for my written exam. I passed my exam and gained a driving permit which allowed me to be behind a wheel once again, safely this time. I convinced my father to let me drive in the empty parking lot of a Tractor Supply Store. I sat in the driver’s seat once again, with sweaty palms grasping onto the wheel and a heart pounding with anticipation. I turned the key slowly taking in the sounds of the engine firing up, preparing itself for my control. I grabbed onto the gear stick and moved it to drive I pushed down on the accelerator and took off. Each turn and bump felt unfamiliar but the more time I spent behind the wheel the more my confidence grew.

I passed my driving test on the first try, thankful to have to properly educated myself on the rules of the road. Which is why everyone needs to undergo Driver’s Education whether it’s through an academy or on their own. Being an educated driver can alleviate some of the risk that comes with being on the road and lessen the number of deaths due to car accidents. Understanding and adhering to traffic laws is the foundation of safe driving. Learning more practical skills such as defensive driving or driving under versatile road conditions are more complex and require mentoring from an instructor or experienced driver such as a parent. Driving is a shared experience and when we are on the road everyone’s life is at stake so giving our full attention to conducing the vehicle is vital. Well-educated drivers contribute to safer road environments, reducing the number of accidents, injuries, and fatalities for everyone on the road.

Education is the most crucial tool in maintaining roads safe however there are other measures, we can take to create a seamless driving experience for all. A stricter licensing process including a rigorous written exam as well as a more complex driving exam can ensure drivers are competent on all kinds of roads. In the state of Kansas, you do not need to drive on the highway for your exam which I feel should change because many fatalities occur when the car is undergoing high speeds such as when on the highway. Ensuring a driver can properly merge and exit the highway is an essential step in reducing the number of fatalities on the road. Creating road safety campaigns can create public awareness to educate drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists about the dangers of distracted driving and the importance of wearing a seatbelt. Having safe pedestrian-friendly crossings and pathways that are marked can reduce the number of deadly accidents involving pedestrians. Encouraging public transportation and carpooling can reduce the number of vehicles on the road and ease the congestion of traffic.

Although I have tried my best to be an educated, safe, and responsible driver-accidents happen, including the one I was involved in three weeks ago. I jumped in my 2015 neon green Chevy Spark, rolling down the windows to let some stifling air out, and adjusting my stereo to play “Another day of Sun”. I pulled out of the parking lot turning onto Webb Road before merging onto K-96. Traffic was steady, I moved into the left lane to let in a stream of cars but as soon as I did that the road suddenly appeared congested. Right before it happened, I remember thinking “woah I need to slow down”, then the car in front of me made a sudden stop and I panicked. My foot pushed intensely on the brake, but it was too late. My body jerked forward as fear ran loose in my body. I steered my car to the side of the road, anxiety and guilt causing be to break out in tears. After the authorities came, I was able to drive my car home although I had a broken headlight and front fender. I spent the rest of that day filled with guilt but remembering that accidents are learning experiences, and focusing on becoming a safer and more cautious driver is now my main concern.

Becoming a safe driver involves a commitment to adopting responsible driving habits and continuously improving one’s skill. When driving I always avoid distractions, practice defensive techniques such as maintaining a safe following distance and adjust my driving to road conditions. To bring awareness to safe driving I am launching an Instagram site called SwitchingLanesWichita that shares tips for young drivers and brings awareness to roads around town that are under construction. Creating safe roads for all is a paramount goal that encompasses the well-being of every road user, from pedestrians and cyclists to drivers and passengers. It is a collective societal responsibility that requires collaboration from individuals, communities, and policymakers. Together we can create safe roads and reduce the number of deaths related to driving.