Careful Not Convenient

Careful
Not Convenient

By:
Anna Ecklar

Martin
Luther King Jr. once said, “Nothing in the world is more dangerous
than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” It’s safe to
say he’s absolutely right, and though he spoke these words in a
different context, they’re enlightening even when it comes to
driving. There are many laws set in place to prevent conscious bad
decision-making on the road, such as drinking while driving,
speeding, and driving recklessly; but there’s always more we can do
to inform new, and even old, drivers of the dangers that come with a
license. If you undergo any activity, adrenaline-inducing or
otherwise, the continued engagement in it leads to a numbness
regarding it. The same can be applied to driving.

When
I was first learning how to drive, I was absolutely terrified, and
though I lacked experience, I had a strong awareness of how powerful
a moving vehicle can be—and
how I
was in control of it. That power was not something to take lightly,
and in the words of Peter Parker’s Uncle Ben, “a great
responsibility.” Something that we should incorporate more of into
drivers ed, which I experienced in my program, is information
as well as stories regarding deaths on the road. During my driving
course, I had to watch many videos regarding these topics and they
helped me to create a mindset of safe driving before I was ever on
the road by myself. The statistics themselves are shocking, and
hearing them really emphasized to me the importance of remaining
aware on the road and that convenience should always be set aside in
favor of safety. Having exceptional drivers ed from the
beginning creates a generation of drivers who are pursuing the
well-being of not only themselves, but everyone else on the road.

Most
drivers, while encompassing good intentions, are somewhat oblivious
to the dangers of distracted driving in particular, and I believe
more can be done to emphasize how hazardous it can be. While I’ve
never been in a car accident, I’ve witnessed both friends and
family drive while utilizing their phones. Whenever possible, I try
to remind them of the dangers of doing so and offer to help them with
whatever they’re trying to access, whether it’s directions or
music. And though I never use my phone for an extended period of time
while driving, I must also hold myself to a standard of not picking
it up while not in park, and always making sure I am ready for my
drive before putting the vehicle in motion. 

It
is devastating the effects bad driving can have, especially in an
instant. Car crashes, and the deaths associated with them, are for
the most part, preventable, and we all need to be conscious of our
driving for the sake of everyone on the road. If we work together, we
can make a difference which will be seen in future statistics, and
projected in the countless lives saved.