Name: Aklesia Kebede
From: Olathe, Kansas
Votes: 0
Distractions
of driving
Years
passed after my uncle died in a car accident and I had promised
myself I would never be behind the wheel. I was living in Ethiopia
when my dad cancelled the trip he was supposed to go on with a few
friends and my uncle. My family was sitting in the living room when
we heard someone knock, we opened the door and saw a lady standing
with tears in her eyes. It was the wife of the guy driving the car my
uncle was in, I remember my parents breaking down crying before the
lady even said a word. Then i found out my uncle and a few of my
dad’s friends had died in a car accident. Ever since, I promised
myself I would never drive especially in Ethiopia. When my family
moved to America, I realized there was a higher chance of death
caused by car accidents here. I was 15 when my dad finally forced me
to practice driving, my heart pounds as I gradually step on the gas
for the first time. I drove around a church parking lot while
freaking out inside. Then it was time for me to get on the streets, I
drove home from the church while my dad sits on the passenger seat
and makes small comments.
You
are told the three main important rules when driving for the first
time: Don’t text and drive, don’t drive under the influence, and
follow the rules. Although those rules are important and should be
followed, you are never told other things to be cautious about while
driving. When you get in the driver’s seat first thing you and
whoever in the car should do is wear the seatbelt. We all have heard
the excuses before, “I’m a good driver I don’t need one” or “I’m
only going around the corner. Not wearing a seatbelt can mean life or
death in a car accident. When driving, avoid all distractions. The
reaction time of a distracted driver decreases along with the
driver’s awareness of the surrounding. You
can sing and dance with your friends at home, you can text you
boyfriend when you get home, you can change the radio station when
you’re in the parking lot. Another thing not many people are told
is to not drive when you are tired. It might not seem that big of a
deal but your reaction time decreases when you are tired and your
judgment is also affected. Driving in bad weather is also another
factor to unsafe driving, Rainy weather or snow can cause really bad
car accidents. If you don’t feel comfortable driving in the snow or
rain, don’t risk your life or someone else’s to get to where you
need to be. Being aware of your driving along with your surrounding
not only keeps you safe but also keeps the people around you safe.
I
have never been in a serious car accident, thank God, but I have been
in two. When I was younger, I was on my way to school with my dad in
the morning. I was by my school when a car got into a one way and hit
us. Thankfully, My dad and I did not get hurt but messed up our car.
When the cops showed up, we found out the guy was going home from his
night shift and he was falling asleep while driving. The second time,
I was in the car with my mom when a teenage boy rear ended us. We
then found out he was on his phone and when he looked up he was
already about to hit us. No text is more important than the safety of
yourself and others.
