The Optimist
  • Home
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Features
  • Print Edition
    • The Pessimist
    • Special Projects
  • Police Log
  • Classifieds
You are here: Home / Opinion / Columns / Driving safely means saving lives

Driving safely means saving lives

November 1, 2013 by Melany Cox

Two years ago to this coming Monday, my world was torn apart when my dear friend Anabel Reid was killed in a bus accident that injured 15 other students and faculty members.

Her absence left a gaping hole in my life, the effects of which I still feel every single day.

The ACU community has experienced too many losses because of automobile accidents.

Each of these incidents has deeply affected hundreds of people. Speaking from experience, I can say one of the most frustrating things we have had to deal with is the fact that each of these accidents could have been prevented with safe driving.

Many drivers, especially college students, have shoved the practice of safe driving to the back seat. What is worse, they don’t even bother hiding the evidence.

I’ve seen tweets about running stop signs and red lights, listened to people brag about driving over the speed limit and observed numerous people texting and driving. One time, I was almost clipped in the parking lot as I was walking to class. The driver obviously felt the content on her phone’s screen was more important than checking her rear-view mirror as she backed out of her parking space.

One of the hazards of living on or near a college campus is dealing traffic. When you combine pedestrians walking to class with college drivers who have the naive belief they are invincible, it’s a scary combination.

Let’s cover some basic rules everyone should follow. No exceptions.

First, pedestrians always have the right-of-way. Always. Why? You are in a two-ton machine protected by airbags and a seatbelt. They are less than 300 pounds of flesh and blood. Drivers should be particularly cautious if the Lunsford Trail crosses the intersection at which they are stopped, especially after sunset.

Second, put the phone down. If it’s tempting you, stick it in your purse or in the backseat. Just get it out of your reach. The action of texting and driving is illegal in most states and is banned for novice drivers in Texas. However, changing the song on your iPod, checking notifications or even just reading a text is distracting enough. I can guarantee that text you want to send or song you want to play is not worth your life and it is not worth someone else’s life.

Finally, know the law, follow the law and use common sense when getting behind the wheel. Stoplights and stop signs are there for a reason. Obeying them is not optional. Use your turn signal.

It only takes an instant to end a life and change hundreds of others. If you don’t know the pain of losing someone in a car accident that could have been avoided, get down on your knees and thank God right now. I pray you never have to know that pain. Don’t be the cause of it.

Drive safely. You are worth it.

Filed Under: Columns, Opinion Tagged With: Archive, Bus Accident

Other Opinion:

  • Tariffs are the last thing struggling students need

  • Gen Z won the election for Donald Trump

  • A Swift rebuke: When it comes to politics, celebrities just do not get it

About Melany Cox

You are here: Home / Opinion / Columns / Driving safely means saving lives

Other Opinion:

  • Tariffs are the last thing struggling students need

  • Gen Z won the election for Donald Trump

  • A Swift rebuke: When it comes to politics, celebrities just do not get it

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
2 Dec

BREAKING: The internet is now up and running after a short campus-wide outage.

Reply on Twitter 1863647460322640102 Retweet on Twitter 1863647460322640102 Like on Twitter 1863647460322640102 1 Twitter 1863647460322640102
acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
7 Nov

The Optimist and ACUTV partnered together to produce a 3-hour live election show on Tuesday night. A team of 25 students worked for weeks preparing while doing research and interviews with guests like Dr. Phil Schubert and Rep. Stan Lambert.

Reply on Twitter 1854352279605817812 Retweet on Twitter 1854352279605817812 2 Like on Twitter 1854352279605817812 9 Twitter 1854352279605817812

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

10 months ago

The Optimist

Video

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

1 years ago

The Optimist
"Ending my college education early was always the plan for me, but the things that I have been able to see, experience and examine about ACU’s community were not. I have found immense growth in ACU over the past three and a half years, but ACU still has a long road to climb if it wants to keep catering to students as the world changes around them." To read more of this article visit acuoptimist ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Optimist Newscast Feb. 28, 2024

Our top stories today include a recap of The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, the ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 21, 2024
  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 14, 2024
  • Optimist Newscast Jan. 24, 2024

Latest Photos

1
2
3
4
5
PrevNext
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Policies
    • Advertising Policy
    • Letters to the Editor and Reader Comments
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Photo Galleries
  • Features
  • Advertise
    • Paid Advertisement
  • Police Log

© 2025 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved