Its Not Just Your Life, It’s Others Too

Fidgeting with my pencil, causing earthquakes with my restless leg. Checking – rechecking my answers. To be awarded a permit, the next stage to “adulthood”.

It felt like yesterday when I started learning how to drive, constantly analyzing people from my driving instructor to my mother to strangers. I felt like I knew everything that went about driving “safely”. Knowledge of the road was still fresh in my mind yet, that isn’t the case for everyone.

I constantly remind older family members of the importance of driver education even, when I get told “I’ve driven longer than you have”. Driving isn’t about going to point A to point B; it’s a responsibility of not your own life but, others in your hands. It keeps roads regulated to keep everyone safe with traffic signs knowing when to stop, go, or yield. Keeping a safe speed limit for vehicles and pedestrians. Understanding the knowledge of defensive driving techniques.

Importantly understanding the dangers of driving under the influence whether it be with alcohol or drugs. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 31% of all traffic crash fatalities involve drunk drivers with 13,384 people killed in these preventable crashes. Key word being preventable by staying over the night to sober up or having a designated driver.

Also, taking seatbelts for granted . People sound like a broken record hearing the benefits of wearing them. “Many Americans understand the lifesaving value of the seatbelt- the nation use rate was at 91.6% in 2022, Seat belt use in passenger vehicles saved an estimate 14,955 lives in 2017.” (NHTSA). Even I took it for granted, a story I constantly nag my brother when he whines about wearing his seatbelt. My mother was driving in a busy town, cars bumper to bumper and people crossing the street, I thought I was too “cool” and “invisible” for seatbelts. Oh boy was I wrong. My mother had to quickly hit the breaks after someone cut her off and I faceplanted behind her seat. Safe to say, I learned my lesson after that; I’m happy it was just a faceplant instead, of a horrific crash. I make it into a habit to never move the car until everyone has their seatbelt.

I hate to say I fail to follow this number one rule. Focus. On. The. Road. Texting and driving, 3,522 people have been killed in 2021 (NHSTA). As much as we want to answer our friend’s text about plans later or our mothers asking when are we getting home. Apple has a ‘do no disturb’ button, make it a habit to press that one button because one day you might be able to answer that question of when you’re coming home. Also, drowsy driving can be another factor of not focusing on the road it can be from sleep deprivation or driving alone. For the most part, exhausted after a long closing shift I tend to “autopilot” back home causing a danger to myself and others.

I’m aware of my flaws in driving and I’m constantly trying to build better habits in driving.

Thankfully, my family are safe after an accident. Unforentalty these two situations had a similar cause. This happened to my cousin after she was driving alone and my aunt’s family which both of them got hit by a person who ran a stop sign. I remember my parents telling me that they got into a car crash, and my stomach dropped to the floor. They came out with a couple of scratches however their cars were damaged. I’ve seen the effects of their accident in both situations they were very similar. Both of my cousins were deathly afraid to drive in fear they’ll get into another accident. As one of them never admitted he was, we all knew why he pushed back getting his licenses.

I remind new drivers that driving is a privilege, not a right ranging to younger family members or friends. Use driver’s education to keep them out of harm’s way, follow the big red stop sign, pay attention to the road, wear seatbelts, and never be an aggressive driver. We take these steps to come home to family and friends. We take these steps to let other people get home safely. Once again, always wear your seatbelt it might save your life one day.

“Distracted Driving.” NHTSA, www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving. Accessed 29 July 2023.

“Drunk Driving.” NHTSA, www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving#:~:text=About%2031%25%20of%20all%20traffic,year%20in%20drunk%2Ddriving%20crashes. Accessed 29 July 2023.

“Seat Belts.” NHTSA, www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/seat-belts. Accessed 29 July 2023.