While I’ve always been aware of the dangers of road travel, I definitely recall the specific night in which my entire reality was flipped upside down. 

My dad and I drove Mom to the airport that night, off on a trip to see her dying mother in Arizona. I was distraught at the time that I couldn’t accompany; my last chance to see my grandmother before she was sealed in an urn and placed upon our countertop. Tension was thick; a fight between my parents delayed our departure by an hour. When we did leave,  though, it was the early hours of the morning, presenting an hour-long ride to the nation’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson. Things went okay from there, though my parents continued to bicker. My mom grabbed her luggage, gave me a goodbye, and headed off to get ready for her flight. 

It was just my dad and me now; I looked at the vast, winding interstate on our ride back home. The cold press of glass against my cheek was enough stimulation to keep me from dozing off, comforted by the steady rocking of the car on the freeway. 

All of a sudden, no more soothing drive. My dad halts, swarms of cars forming in clumps of traffic along the highway. Lights flash in the distance. I’d seen highway delays before; I assumed we’d be back on the road before too long. Oh, how wrong I was.

We were stuck on the road for nearly an hour before I saw it. The remains of what had been a semi-truck sprawled across the highway, flashing lights covering it from every direction. Behind the truck was a smaller vehicle, which I’d guess was some kind of Toyota. My dad told me not to look. I wish I had listened.

What I saw, watching as policemen and first responders tended to the scene, was the most horrifying thing I’ve ever seen in my life. The pain, anguish, cruelty, and loss of it all; it’s honestly quite frightening for me to recall in full, so I’ll spare the details. To this day, even though this all happened when I was only 13, I hold a lot of trauma about road transit. My mom and I try to avoid highways, as taking federal interstates often results in heaving fits of hyperventilation and sometimes tears. It’s a difficult problem to have, especially in a country where road vehicles are not only the most effective, but almost virtually required for national travel.

It’s no secret that America is a car-dominated country, with sprawling interstates, winding roads, and an expectation to be driving by the time you’re 16. In fact, that’s precisely the reason why vehicle safety is so important in our country. Fatal vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for US teens. And, with a society that both encourages teenagers to learn to drive and builds its facilities centered around cars, inexperienced drivers are bound to get themselves into trouble. 

I think the primary reason youth car-crash fatalities are so high is that teenagers don’t understand the severity of accidents, the responsibility required, and the importance of driving. Distracted driving is no joke, and certainly not something to be taken lightly. Lives are taken, innocent people forced into a fate they never deserved. And the survivors? Often, disablingly crippled, mentally handicapped, neurally damaged, and many other side effects. 

The first step in helping young drivers stay safe and alert is rebranding our approach towards safe driving awareness. While there is a lot of evidence firmly explaining the risks of distracted driving, a more realistic and individualistic approach is necessary to see a change in the youth. Young people need to be reminded that this is a reality, and their actions have very real consequences. Dangerous driving does not just affect people on the news; It could affect you, your parents, lovers, friends, and family. A split-second decision to check your Instagram on the highway is never a gamble to make, because cars are weapons, and that must be understood every time someone enters a vehicle.

Ultimately, understanding the dangers of cars themselves is vital in decreasing distracted driving and ensuring the safety of everyone on the road. Millions of people die from car fatalities of all kinds yearly. The United States ranks extremely high in car fatalities among developed nations globally. Understanding this, and more importantly, an individual's role in this, is key to ensuring alert and safe driving. To reach the youth and discourage distracted driving, it’s important to target colleges, schools, and healthcare centers and discuss individual responsibility.

When it comes to driving, you and everyone else on the road are relying on mutual trust. When you practice distracted driving while intoxicated, checking your phone, or any other form of distracted driving, you don’t just put yourself at risk; you put everyone around you at risk. It is the responsibility of all legal and active drivers to uphold this trust; to ensure the safety of those around them. Accidents do happen naturally, but car fatalities could be decreased significantly through preventive measures. 

Last, though certainly not least, defensive driving programs need to be more accessible and encouraged, especially to young drivers. If we equip young drivers with the tools to take road responsibility and safety seriously, we also must equip them with knowledge on how to avoid potentially dangerous situations. The best thing you can do in a situation where an unsafe driver is potentially putting your life at risk on the road is to distance yourself and call local authorities if you fear they may be breaking the law. I have called the police on drivers I thought may have been intoxicated. To me, the mild unrest felt by the driver upon getting pulled over is more than worth the potential fatalities that come from a vehicular accident. There is no place for disregard and recklessness on the road.

Distracted driving has affected my life severely. I face panic attacks on the highway, fear over future travel plans, and disagreements with family members over whether or not to take the highway. However, this fear has also provided me with unique ideas, an important respect and caution with vehicles, and boundaries to protect me and my loved ones. In the end, the consequences of distracted driving are irreversible; so, preventative measures are essential in saving lives and preventing distracted driving in youth.