Name: Xavier Reese
From: Meridian, Idaho
Votes: 0
Xavier Reese
Driver
Education Initiative Award – Scholarship Opportunity : Link
First
Scholarship essay questions:
What
is the importance of drivers ed in reducing the number of
deaths as a result of driving?
What
steps can you take to be a better and safer driver as well as help
others become safer on the road?
There
are many reasons to why drivers ed is important to reduce the
number of deaths caused by bad drivers. To begin with, without
educating drivers about how to drive, state and federal laws, as well
as proper driving etiquette the roads would be quite dangerous for
drivers and pedestrians alike. There would also be more accidents on
roads causing traffic backups as well as road rage situations that
continue to be completely unpredictable. Drivers ed helps
prevent that by educating new along with older drivers before they
are given a permit or license. The better people are knowledgeable of
how to properly drive the less deaths occur. In Meridian Idaho, a
bill was just passed making it a fineable offense to be texting,
calling, or using an electronic device while driving on a road. This
is similar to what other cities have done in the past and is a step
towards the right direction because it can now be taken seriously
than previously because drivers ed. Instructors can now explain
that you can be fined. A few steps that I can and do take in order to
be a better safer driver is to put my phone in a small compartment so
that I am not distracted by it as well as never answer phone calls or
text while driving. I also do my best to be careful when driving
through neighborhoods. These are some of the steps I take in order
to be a better driver; however many deaths are not only caused by the
driver some are caused by pedestrians j-walking or not abiding the
law. Some people who ride bikes to go to work often do not have
lights on their bikes which can make them very difficult to see early
in the morning when it is still dark outside. Even though the law
makes those driving vehicles at fault, there should be some more
requirements for pedestrians and those who use different nonmotorized
transportation in order to prevent vehicular deaths.Ultimately, most
drivers as well as those around roadways should use common sense when
driving but that is something that cannot be taught only experienced.
Driver
Education Initiative Award – Scholarship Opportunity: Questions
part two
What
steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving?
Have
you ever had an experience of being in a car accident or have seen
your friends or family members driving irresponsibly?
Much
like what was said in the previous essay, there are many different
steps that could be taken to reduce driving related deaths. One step
that could be effective is to have harsher fines or punishments for
bad drivers. For example, the current fine for speeding in Idaho is
between $150 -$200 which is a hefty fine but I think it should be
around the $200 – $300 range so that people would not want to speed.
Many insurance companies help pay off fines but don’t help much
usually about $25-$50 is what they pay depending on the fine. To
break away from fines and what could be done to help reduce driving
deaths, I have personally been in an accident about two years ago. It
was a very foggy, rainy early morning and I was driving through the
neighborhood I always take to get to school. This morning I was
already running late due to me sleeping in a few more minutes. There
was a flash of light to my right of which I slowed down to see if it
was a bicyclist or a reflection of my headlights. When I turned back
to see where I was going I ran into a Dodge Ram truck totalling my
car and breaking only the front left turn light cover as well as a
minute dent in the bumper of the truck. The collision was not at a
high speed only about 10-15 miles per hour. I ended up going to
school later that day a little bit shaken however it was not about
what happened to the individuals that were in the accident, they were
actually quite nice and cared more about my safety than the vehicles.
The police officer that first arrived was not very respectful like I
had done something to him but that is not the point of why this
accident is something I will forever remember. It is that the couple
whose truck I ran into were surprised that I cared more about getting
to school than a car.
