“Esto No Es Un Juego” [This Is No Game]

It’s crazy to think that when I was younger, I would get in a car and the last thing I would think about was my safety. It was all fine because an adult was always driving. What’s there to worry about? Surely because they are older they know it all right? I’m safe. Unfortunately this isn’t the case, even licensed drivers are irresponsible. And let’s not get started on those who drive recklessly without a license. License or no license, what sets apart a safe driver is their education. Their common sense, their responsibility and most importantly their consideration not only for their life’s but for others. It’s truly heartbreaking to see the amounts of deaths that come with driving and most of the time the survivors are the ones driving reckless. We see that in crashes that involve a drunk driver, the survivors are the sober innocent ones. It’s a cruel world we live in, but with proper safety and education, people can learn to be more considerate of others’ lives. Like my dad says “esto no es un juego” meaning “this isn’t a game”. It’s not a driving game with the outcome of just restarting when you crash.

Drivers cause real deaths, and ones that usually are caused by stupid mistakes. Whether that’s speeding, drunk driving or even breaking the rules on the road because there’s “no one around”. It’s still a risk that puts others in danger. Even if you’re a passenger, driver education should still matter. The driver and everyone in the car should be aware of all times. The passenger should hold the driver accountable if they feel that they are driving reckless. Even if we are with friends, wearing a seatbelt shouldn’t be considered “uncool”. According to NHTSA.gov “In 2021, 26,325 passenger vehicle occupants were killed. About 50% of those killed were not buckled…Seat belts saved an estimated 14,955 lives and could have saved an additional 2,549 people if they had been wearing seat belts, in 2017 alone.” Even with just the rule of a seatbelt, many don’t practice it. Driving while texting doesn’t show experience. Speeding doesn’t show coolness either. These steps might seem pointless and small, but either way the smallest steps can result in the biggest accidents. The importance of driver education doesn’t just come with knowing the rules behind each traffic sign and road sign, it’s knowing safety precautions and being aware of your surroundings. Because that’s what saves lives.

Fortunately, I have never experienced being in a car accident. At least for me, I try to reduce the chances by only driving to places as a necessity. Especially since I am a new driver. On the other hand, my dad has been driving all his life, and he is the provider of our household. My mom doesn’t drive or work, so obviously it’s up to my dad to put himself on the road everyday at 2am. That’s a risk. He doesn’t drive at such a dangerous time because he wants to, he has to. And sadly, many people take driving for granted. My dad has told me about all the crazy things he has seen during those hours that he has to drive to work. The harsh weather conditions of fog and heavy storms in the dark, people speeding because of the empty freeways and even struggling to see what’s on the road because of the darkness. He puts his life at risk everyday for us. Waking up at 2am to drive to work with lack of sleep, but still managing to drive safely. Moments like that make me realize that I shouldn’t take driving for granted, that we must drive with consideration. Even people who are fully rested drive without consideration of others. If everyone on the road did this, there would be less deaths.

That’s why I take the steps of always being aware of my surroundings. It really is that easy to just keep your eyes on the road. No texting, no loud music as a distraction from the outside noise and most importantly looking at all my mirrors at all times. It’s crucial and I know it comes in the driver’s handbook, but you’d be surprised how many people text and drive. According to Bankrate.com, “When driving during the day, there are an estimated 354,415 drivers holding a phone to their ear, and even more using them while driving, according to the NHTSA”. If we avoid this more, risks can be reduced. It’s also scary to know that “Texting while driving has the same effect on your driving reaction time as if you had consumed four beers in a single hour”. Even with the right drivers education, we need to put these habits into practice. Gadgets can make it even easier for us like using hands off devices for our phones and even installing a Bluetooth/wireless connection for calls. That way I am not tempted to drive with one hand and the other holding our phone to our ear. It also ensures that my attention is fully on the road and I know I practice this whenever. That is through looking at all my mirrors at all times, being aware of pedestrians, and even cars in my blind spot. We all share the road, and with keeping our focus and practicing these steps, it will be incorporated easily everyday into our driving routines. Because driving education is not only through knowing the rules, but it’s through always being aware, considerate and taking precautions.

Works Cited

“Seat Belt Safety: Buckle Up America.” NHTSA, https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/seat-belts. Accessed 19 July 2023.

Sleight, Mandy, and Maggie Kempken. “Texting and Driving 2022 Facts & Statistics.” Bankrate, 13 May 2022, https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/texting-and-driving-statistics/. Accessed 19 July 2023.