Safe Driving

Drivers education is important for everyone in that having knowledge of road safety and the rules of driving can make the roads safer for everyone. There are so many distractions while driving. It could be weather related, an animal in the road, road construction, or even car wrecks. Thorough knowledge of car signals, road signs, appropriate turning lanes, and just the basic rules of driving is a must! Driving judgement, common sense, and understanding the effects of rain, snow and ice are also extremely valuable. Confidence in abilities is gained when drivers know the ins and outs of driving. The more knowledge and confidence that you have about driving leads you to make better decisions on the road and you can then recognize dangerous driving situations and avoid them if possible.

I think that the biggest step to reduce the number of deaths being related to driving is to restrict phone usage. When I see someone swerving on the roads or not paying attention to the fact that a traffic light has turned green, it is generally because they are on their cell phone. It is very scary to see someone spending more time looking down at a phone rather than having their eyes on the road where they should be. I have also seen drivers eating food that would generally require two hands and even putting on makeup. I have only been driving for 2 and a half years now. I love being on my phone! I am constantly on my phone. With that being said, I avoid phone usage while driving as I understand that accidents can happen in a split second when not paying attention to the road and those around you. These accidents can be minor or fatal. Nonetheless they can be avoided. I feel that if you can not pay full attention to the road and driving safely then you should not get behind the wheel. The risks are too great!

I was just recently involved in a 4-vehicle accident January of this year. Luckily no one was seriously injured. I had just participated in a basketball tournament and was following my mom home after picking up my car from school. The accident involved an aggressive teenage driver who was weaving in and out of busy traffic during rush hour in my hometown. Traffic was slowing down for a light that had turned red. The back car with the aggressive teenage driver, who we found out was distracted by his cell phone, hit the car in front of him. That car hit me and I in turn hit my mom’s car which was in front of mine. My mom’s car was not damaged from me hitting her, but it was enough impact to total the car behind me and cause over $3,000 damage to my car. The teenager who caused the wreck was driving irresponsibly and this could have easily been avoided. I can only imagine the kind of trouble he got into with his parents not to mention the increase in insurance costs due to the damage to his vehicle and 2 other vehicles.

Some important steps to take to be a better driver are first and foremost to avoid cell phone usage when possible. A text can wait. A phone call can wait. A snapchat for facebook post can wait. The ability to answer a call with a handsfree car options is a safer option but can still lead to distractions when engaged in the conversation. I think that being a defensive driver is a very good and necessary skill to have. There seems to be an abundance of aggressive drivers. I have avoided many accidents by just being aware of my surroundings and the other cars around me. I have been cut off too many times to count. Thankfully I know how to use my brakes to avoid collisions. I also know the importance of not cutting off others and leaving ample space between my car and the car in from of me. Many drivers do not use the appropriate car signals to convey their driving intentions either. It is frustrating but something that everyone must be aware of. You never know when a car may be turning but has not turned on their signal.

In conclusion I feel that overall awareness and avoiding distractions is the key to keeping myself and others safe on the road. It’s important to know the rules of driving and stay off cell phones. Phones are unnecessary when the risks of the accidents that they can cause are so high. Thank you for your consideration in this scholarship!