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2024 Driver Education Round 2 – My driving experience before the accident

Name: Sienna Riley McCal
From: Bend, OR
Votes: 13

My driving experience before the accident

I’m lucky to have taken a driver’s education class throughout my school year. I came into that class with an open mind and a desire to learn as much as possible from this course. I have observed my peers who have been able to get a driver’s license before me and watched as the reckless driving began to escalate quickly. Watching this became the reason why I was determined to be able to learn and hopefully convince my classmates to do so as well.

Being able to drive is the most freeing thing I have ever felt, but also the greatest responsibility. It is so important for a new driver to have a prior understanding of all the rules of the road to reduce the number of deaths while driving. Being in a class teaches you how to have a switch in aggressive driving situations. It teaches you how to have patience on the road and all the ways to be able to avoid aggressive driving that leads to so many deaths. Along with this, it emphasizes the importance of knowing how to be a defensive driver. In short, this means being able to assess situations and being able to anticipate other drivers’ mistakes. By taking these measures you can help reduce the number of incidents on the road.

Many steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. To start, it’s important to promote safe driving practices through public awareness campaigns and driver education. Another step that can be taken is creating some sort of community involvement. This could be a neighborhood watch committee that supervises and enforces safe driving within the neighborhoods. Along with this, engaging in open conversations about the consequences of reckless driving and encouraging responsible behavior can influence attitudes positively. Serving as a role model by consistently demonstrating safe driving practices reinforces these principles among friends and family.

I’ve experienced a life-altering event that shook me to my core, a significant car accident that nearly took my life. It happened during what was supposed to be a joyful camping trip with friends up at the lake. We were all excited, chatting and laughing as we drove along, until suddenly, everything went wrong.

I remember noticing that our driver had briefly taken her eyes off the road and was driving faster than she should have been. In that split second, a deer leaped into our path. Panic ensued as she swerved sharply to avoid it, sending our car off the road. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as I replayed the scene in my mind, realizing the gravity of our situation. This could be it. The car skidded, narrowly missing a large tree, but then crashed heavily into a fence, violently flipping over.

The moments following the impact were a blur of confusion and fear. I struggled to make sense of what had just happened as the world seemed to spin around me. The sound of metal crunching and glass shattering still echoes in my memory. Amidst the chaos, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief that we had survived, mixed with the harsh realization of how close we had come to tragedy.

After what felt like an eternity, emergency responders arrived and swiftly extricated us from the wreckage. I was in shock but thankful to be alive. The incident left me physically shaken and emotionally scarred. It was a reminder of how quickly circumstances can change and how precious every moment truly is.

This experience has made me realize how truly important safe driving is. It’s crucial to stay focused and attentive behind the wheel, to respect speed limits, and to always be prepared for the unexpected. The consequences of a momentary lapse in judgment can be devastating.

Driving, for many, is a daily necessity intertwined with our routines, yet it carries significant risks that demand responsibility and mindfulness. Whether through personal experience or witnessing the actions of others, the impact of car accidents and irresponsible driving behaviors resonates deeply. Steps to becoming a better driver include staying informed about traffic regulations and updates to ensure compliance with the law. Understanding and respecting speed limits, traffic signals, and road signs significantly reduce the likelihood of accidents. Secondly, adopting defensive driving techniques, such as maintaining a safe following distance and anticipating potential hazards, enhances preparedness on the road.

And as much as the on-paper studies helped, I learned quickly with my license that no matter the education, the safety on our roads is up to the person. You can be the person who chooses to run that red light and risk lives or be the person who uses their education about the roads for good. However, with the background knowledge, you can significantly reduce the chances of reckless driving and keep teens safe on the streets. Be the person who makes a difference. Be the person who chooses the safety of your life and others.