On average, 116 lives are lost in traffic crashes every single day in the United States*. This number is more than strangers on the news, it represents mothers, fathers, children, spouses, coworkers and friends.

And here’s the hard truth:

You never think it will happen to you, until it does.

As someone who speaks and advocates for safe driving, especially around school buses, pedestrians, bicyclists, and fellow drivers, I know how easy it is for people to tune out the message. We’ve heard to “Drive Safe” a thousand times, but we don’t let it sink in.

June is National Safety Month, and I want to invite you to pause and truly ask yourself:

Are you driving in a way that protects not only your life, but the lives of others?

Face the Truth

Crashes aren’t caused by “bad” drivers, they are caused by bad decisions. These include:

  • Checking a text.
  • Speeding up to beat a red light.
  • Rolling through a stop sign.
  • Not seeing the cyclist in the bike lane.
  • Changing lanes before checking your blind spots.
  • Thinking, “I’ve done this before, and nothing bad happened.”

These mistakes have become common habits. And they’re claiming lives.

Who are you driving for?

Ask yourself:

Who would be devastated if something happened to me on the road?

How would I live with myself if a moment of distraction or a poor choice led to someone else’s loss?

Driving is one of the most dangerous activities most people do every day. It’s also one of the most preventable causes of death and injury.

By altering your habits, you have the power to change that.

Small Choices Can Make a Life-Changing Impact

How can you make a difference? It’s simple. Be consistent and follow these rules:

  • Put the phone away and out of sight.
  • Drive slower in neighborhoods, parking lots, and school zones to be mindful of pedestrians and school children.
  • Look twice for pedestrians and cyclists, especially early in the morning or around sunset.
  • Use your turn signal. Stop or yield. And above all, be patient.

Safety is a mindset, a responsibility, and a commitment you make every time you get behind the wheel.

It Could Be You

If this message feels heavy, it should. But it’s also hopeful.

Because this is preventable. Choose to drive differently and the life you save, may be your own or someone you love.

So during National Safety Month, I challenge you:

Stop assuming tragedy is something that happens to other people. Choose to be a safe driver by adopting better habits that you know will not put you or others in jeopardy.

Drive like your life and the lives of your families and everyone sharing the road depends on it—because it does.

If this message resonates, I’d love to hear from you:

What’s one change you’ve made to drive more safely? Or who are you driving for?

 

*Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety’s 2025 Roadmap to Safety