Driver Education Initiative – Was the Lady Paying Attention During the Driving Safety Course?

Was
the Lady Paying Attention During the Drivers ed Safety
Course?

By: Charles Peel,
III

I
was so excited and could hardly contain my emotions when my mom
signed me up to take the drivers ed safety course. I
thought finally I’m going to get a license to drive! My mom on the
other hand did not feel the same. She on the other hand was nervous
and worried.

I
remember her telling me that driving is a privilege and comes with a
huge amount of responsibility. Pay attention during class, take good
notes, study and obey all the rules. I looked at her and smiled and
told her “Mom, don’t worry. I got this!” I was able to get her
to smile and at that moment I knew everything was going to be ok.

When
the class started, I was amazed at how many participants were not
paying attention to the important information being shared by our
instructor.

In
an instant, I found myself on the emotional rollercoaster and
thinking about the lady who was driving the car that caused the
accident and resulted in my father’s untimely death in 2006.

I
begin to ask myself the same questions again- “Was she paying
attention during the drivers ed safety course? If she had
paid attention, reduced her speed, avoid being on her cell phone and
been more of a defensive driver, would my biological dad still be
alive?”

I
felt I had a duty to act. I started to share my personal story. At
the end of my story, everyone who listened was attentive and gave
their full attention to the instructor.

Did
my story make a different? I’m not sure at this point; however, it
did make me feel good to know I may have saved a life.

What
can we do to become better safer drivers? It starts with your
commitment to do the following:

• Pay
  attention during your drivers ed safety course. Apply what
  you learn.

• Put
  down that cell phone. A text or call can cost a life.

• Obey
  all traffic rules and drive the speed limit

• If
  you are a passenger, hold that driver accountable to be a safe
  driver. Even if it’s your parents!! Speak up!

• Pray
  this powerful prayer “I ask at this time traveling grace be upon
  myself and others that are traveling all over the world. Please keep
  me in my lane and other’s in their lane. Amen”

I
think about my dad and how my life would have turned out if he had
not died in the accident. I’m not bitter and have forgiven the lady
who was driving the other vehicle. My mom and I even said a prayer
for her after it happened.

After
attending the course, there are two things I know for certain:

1. We
   can’t control our own fate. It’s already predetermined.

2. If
   “that” lady had paid attention during her class, she would have
   had the knowledge and tools to drive defensively!