The university community has been rocked by two incidents of reckless driving this semester alone (resulting in two separate accidents: one fatal and the other sending the passengers to the ER).
Taking light of these incidents one would imagine there would be a full campaign set up by some university entity to curb this behavior; yet to my knowledge this is not the case.
Why are we not talking about what caused the accidents and what we can do to prevent such things from repeating? Is it that no one wants to talk about them out of respect for those that were involved or out of courtesy to their families?
I believe that we are allowing the lives of those affected by the incidents (in particular the one that resulted in a fatality) to pass in vain. What are we afraid of in talking about these things?
Why are we not embracing the opportunity to show students of just how harmful it can be to oneself and to our families when we take the fact that we are alive for granted?
I don’t know what factors caused the accidents but I can comment on what are contributing factors to some accidents among college students (I have heard fellow students comment on the possible causes of the two accidents, one being related to speeding and the other to alcohol.)
Texas alone leads the nation in alcohol related vehicular deaths, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving 2004 statistics (available at madd.org for you skeptics).
Where are the campus organizations that are supposed to be bringing in speakers and other authorities to discuss these issues to students? Instead what I do see are flyers promoting comics, rap artists, and other entertainment type presenters and speakers; are we forgetting that the whole purpose of being enrolled in a university is to learn and walk away with different perspectives that will directly affect our lives (even those that discuss “touchy/sensitive” topics such as underage drinking and other topics involving college age students)?
I understand that there is a need for entertainment (I am not saying no all the way to entertainment) but come on, bring the HIV-positive speakers or those out there that talk about these incidents so that students and anyone interested can have the opportunity to see just how our actions can affect us!
I did see two smashed up cars (one in front of the gym and the other sitting next to a brand new car outside Killam Library) that could have been part of a silent campaign to bring awareness of the issue at hand to students. Yet I am not sure of this because I did not see a single sign or poster on the vehicles informing me as to why they were placed there. Was the smashed up car next to the new one there to show students of when it is time to get a new one? And the one in front of the gym…why was it there?
I do have to mention the Spring Break Revolution as a great event. I attended and walked away with a free flu vaccination and other helpful information…this is exactly the type of events we should be having; the type that open our eyes and minds to not only the good but also the bad that we all know exists.
These are my thoughts, let’s hear yours. Write to me at: bridgeeditor@tamiu.edu
“The best car safety device is a rear-view mirror with a cop in it.”–Dudley Moore