The importance of safe driving

Christy Martinez

Driver education scholarship

07/25/2021

Driver education can be beneficial when wanting to better the safety and knowledge of the driver. The driver’s ed class not only prepares the driver with a clear idea of what to expect when driving but also educates the student on how to properly take measures to prevent any fatal consequences happening while oneself is driving or others around are driving. When I turned 16 I took driver’s ed since it was a requirement to take the class if I wanted to receive my license before the age of 18. I was never opposed to taking a drivers ed class I was very excited to start driving on my own and learn the rules and laws of the road. During driver’s ed I was informed of some major gadgets that could be the cause of fatal car accidents and deaths; being either lack of concentration, speeding, inexperienced driving, consumption of illegal substances such as alcohol and/or drugs, etc.

I believe that driver’s ed can be a huge advantage to new incoming drivers to better understand the important factors, skills, and attributes to learn to become a safe and responsible driver. I truly believe that most car crash deaths and accidents come from distractions, drinking, or consuming drugs while driving. Getting educated on the gadgets that cause car collisions and motor vehicle deaths provides the driver a more clear understanding of why it’s important to obey the rules of the road to avoid those kinds of tragedies. Getting time driving hands-on before getting your license prepares you for what to expect when behind the wheel.

I have personally been in a car accident myself and have taken in what happened and acknowledged what could’ve been done differently to prevent the circumstances. I have always had a hard time concentrating because of my ADD disability and being able to focus on just the road is naturally very hard for me. This not only was a very dangerous car accident but it completely left my car totaled and left me with continuous body aches after the accident. I believe the steps that could’ve helped me avoid this incident was me being more observant and responsible while driving. If I would’ve been more observant and cautious I could’ve had a quicker reaction on what to do to avoid the accident. That either being by braking earlier or going at a more appropriate speed limit. Overall, being aware of your surroundings and other vehicles on the roads could be very beneficial by helping prevent any unnecessary accidents or deaths due to distractions or lack of concentration. I took my accident as a learning experience and took my ADD disability with more seriousness due to my own life being at risk when in the driver’s seat and other individuals as well who are on the road driving the same time I am. It’s important to be considerate of others behind the steering wheel especially when it is someone’s loved one’s life who’s behind it.

Some steps that could be taken to reduce the number of deaths due to driving is taking the driver’s ed class as a training class to learn and understand the essentials to properly drive safely. Avoiding any distractions that include cell phone use while driving. A slight distraction could cause the person in the driver’s seat to lose their life. Avoid consuming any drugs or alcohol if you are aware that you are going to drive. Alcohol and drugs slow down reflectors which could cause the driver not to be as cautious and alert of the road compared to when sober. Advocating the importance of seat belts and how much they can protect our body if in a crash. Properly using signal lights is vital to let other drivers know you are planning to switch lanes and avoid any collisions between vehicles. In general, be a safe and responsible driver, obey the speed limit, concentrate on the road, avoid distractions, use your signals to your advantage to let other drivers know if are planning to switch lanes, don’t consume drugs or alcohol when planning to drive, follow the driving guidelines and laws to prevent any car accidents or deaths due to car collisions. This all being said, I believe that following the correct guidelines, being safe, responsible, cautious, observant and advocating that drivers’ education should not only be mandatory but that it also is an advantage for new drivers to knowledge and a clear understanding before driving.

In this essay I advocated the importance of safe driving and the steps that should be taken to lower the rates of car collisions and motor vehicles deaths.