Driver Education Initiative – Dangers of Speeding

Evelyn
Rayas Zaragoza

Dangers of Speeding

As
we get older we earn more and more privileges. With driving being one
of them we learn day by day the importance of being behind the wheel
and maintaining it that way. Driving to me is a necessity, because it
is my only way to get to school and work. As being a necessity to me
and to many and an everyday life activity It may be considered the
most
dangerous activity we perform during the day if we do not follow all
the laws and rules posted. As
driving is very useful, like everything else, it also has its
consequences and dangers. Many accidents while driving may result in
death or can cause serious life changing injuries. As a new driver it
has come to my attention that when being behind the wheel not only I
am taking caution for myself, but I also have to be alert for drivers
and pedestrians surrounding me. There are many precautions as a
driver that we can take to make the roads safer for not only
ourselves but as well as for others. Speeding can be very dangerous
and there are many times were we take it for granted, what may not
seem like a big deal can end of costing you your life and even end up
taking someone else’s life.

There
are many precautions that we can take as a driver to make sure that
we make the roads safe for everyone. Some of those precautions
include obeying
all speed limits and signs that are posted at all times, being
attentive as well as being alert at all times, driving responsibly,
staying off electronic devices, and always wearing your seatbelts are
a few of the many things that are a priority that us as drivers have
to make.

Disobeying
the law kills and harms millions of people worldwide every year,
sometimes even destroys many properties and or damaging others.
Reckless driving over results in never ending problems.
Many examples of reckless driving would be speeding, tailgating,
failing to use turn signals, running stop signs or red lights,
failing to yield right of way to oncoming vehicles, drunk driving,
and distracted driving. As far as speeding goes, speeding is not just
driving above the posted speed limit, but includes driving too fast
for road conditions at all times in which becomes hazardous not only
for the driver but anyone else around them. A speeding ticket can not
only cost you hundreds of dollars on legal and processing fees or
even jail time it can also take someone’s priceless life or your own.
When driving it’s the thing we have the most control over and can
easily get carried away and go over the limit thinking that it’s
easily okay. Simply not thinking about the bigger picture. When
we realize the dangerous that we come across on the road we take a
step back.
We see that not everyone drives as well most
people think they do. Some drivers speed aggressively. The more
experience we get the better drivers we become. Being a good driver
comes a long way and can be used as a skill. Even though getting
pulled over or getting a ticket can be used as a learning experience,
we shouldn’t have to wait to get a ticket to start doing the right
thing. Personally I am thankful to have been gotten pulled over that
day that I was speeding, at first it was very hard for me to see it
this way but after talking to my family and seeing the worry in their
eyes, I realized that I was being a danger to other drivers and
myself because other than them being disappointed at me for being so
careless they were worried about the thought of losing me. Now not
only do I pay more attention to my driving but I try and avoid in any
way to stay out of dangerous situations, I consider myself lucky and
appreciate this lesson that I have been given to reflect and learn
from this experience. Growing up, my uncle, who at the time was only
18 years old was ran over while crossing the street by a person that
was going so fast that by the time they saw him crossing the street
it was too late. As a result of this, not only did he become
paralized from the waist down but it also changed the way he lives is
life and it took some much more away from him than just his ability
to walk. Seeing how this affected him when it was finally my turn to
learn to drive, I was very careful about speeding and my
surroundings, until the day I got pulled over. That day I let my
personal life affect my driving because I was not paying all the
attention to what I was doing. Even though the wreck my uncle was in
was caused by a reckless driver. I have come to realize that speeding
isn’t worth the risk nor the ticket because I personally wouldn’t
be able to rest knowing that I hurt someone by being reckless. Being
late is better than not making it home at all one day. Being on the
phone while driving is also a mayor risk no one should ever be
willing to take. Staying
off the phone while driving can become an obstacle for teenagers now
a days because of the attchedment that we have with all of social
media. While beginning to drive teens not fully get used from
switching to the driver’s seat from the passenger seat. Once we hear
that signaling ring or buzz, it comes to our natural response to
easily get distracted and reach for the phone . Causing a major
destruction of our eyes to get off the road and our attention to go
into the phone instead of our driving. Although cell phones come in
handy and even make life a little easier, our phone can become a
threat to us. Texting while driving is not only a threat to us, but
as well as other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Many do not
realize until something drastic happens. Using a cell phone while
driving causes an overwhelming amount of accidents, injuries, and
deaths per year. Sometimes we can be very hard headed and try to not
follow the laws but it is important to remember that they were made
for our own safety.

Writing
this essay has made me take the time to take a step back and
reflectionate. All of my actions come with consequences and looking
back I am very blessed, if it wasn’t for that officer that pulled me
over that day I might have went off the curve in the innerstate with
the speed that I was going. I strongly believe everything happens for
a reason. That day I was so worried about making it “on time” to
my job that I obviously was unaware of the insane speed I was going.
After getting pulled over the officer had a conversation with me that
we all should get and many don’t. He told me that there were many
calls that he has to answer where the driver involved was speeding
and many end up in serious injuries or even take someone’s life. He
told me how lucky I was that I got pulled over because I could have
easily got into a crash that day. Speeding is very dangerous and I
will do my very best to follow all laws and help others with my
testimony so that they don’t make the same careless mistakes that I
made, because they might not be as lucky as I was. Luckily now
understanding how driving is a privilege valuing it has become a
priority. It’s an act we use to get our everyday life going and as
important as it is I plan to respect all speeding laws as well as all
other laws.