Being an Intentional Driver

Driving is an inevitable undertaking for a lot of people making driver education a vital part of this process in order to reduce the number of deaths. My mother constantly bared down on me when I became of age to get my permit and license to “Pay Attention”. Pay attention to studying the rules of the driver’s book. Pay attention when taking the test to get my permit. Pay attention when I first got behind the wheel of the car. Pay attention when she is driving. Pay attention to the required Joshua Laws class we must take to get a driver’s license in Georgia. Pay attention when I go to the Department of Motor Vehicles when I take my driver’s test. Pay attention to the rules and regulations of the road. Pay attention to other drivers. PAY ATTENTION!!!!! As a teenager, it all seems so overwhelming. But she was right, all of these instances I was being educated on the importance of not only driving, but what it means to be a safe, attentive and responsible driver. Every “pay attention” that she uttered to me could save countless lives. Driver’s education is extremely important because it provides the tools and knowledge we need to be safe drivers. It also reduces the number of death as it pertains to driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), up to the present time of this essay, an estimated 19,515 people have lost their lives in a traffic accident; although this is a sad occurrence, the numbers are at a decline. This is why driver education is so important. Education breads consistency and awareness to what we should be doing behind the wheel of a car and also how we should encourage our passengers to conduct themselves as well. Being a responsible driver can not only save your life, but it can save the lives of thousands of others.

There are many things that a driver can do before and after we get behind the wheel to reduce the number of deaths on our highways. Before I started writing this essay, I spoke to several adults and teenagers (driving age) to validate or gain more insight of how I would answer this question. Although their answers were similar in many ways, the adult population provided a more profound answer on this topic. Let me first discuss the adult’s response. They replied that before we even think about driving a vehicle, we should ensure the vehicle has had its required maintenance, ensure windows have been properly cleaned, and properly adjust your seats and mirrors before putting the car in drive. These remarks did not surprise me but it did bring the important factor to the forefront of my mind on the importance of driver’s education and how factors of a poorly maintenances vehicle or the improper placement of seats and mirrors could negatively affect maneuvering a vehicle. Both the adult and teenage population stated that all distractions should be eliminated to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. Distractions can range from cell phone usage rather it be talking or texting, fiddling with the controls on your vehicle while in motion to include changing the radio station. Adjusting all controls should be done while in park, before driving. Other areas of distraction while driving is reading, eating, and talking to other passengers in the vehicle. Although talking to passengers within the same vehicle is common, we should always remain aware of our surrounding with the understanding that our first duty is to pay attention to the road. The conditions of the road due to construction, and the weather can also be factors that contribute to accidents causing harm or death. Not allowing yourself to be distracted as well as maintaining the proper speed can assist with eliminating and hopefully eradicating deaths. And at no time should anyone operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication that makes you drowsy. I’ve also learned that I can not only drive for me but I have to keep other drivers in mind due to their unpredictable behavior. Primarily, using common sense while driving should always be at the forefront of our minds and also the consequences that come along with our actions if we are not attentive to the distractions that can cause harm or death while operating a vehicle.

I have been in three accidents in my life. Unfortunately, it was because the individuals who hit me and my mother was not paying attention. The first accident, my mother was driving on a four lane highway, two lanes on each side. The individual in the other car was passing to the right of us and decided to jump over in our lane. Her report stated that she thought she had cleared our vehicle and did not see us in her blind spot. The cause of that accident was simple, she was in a rush and not paying attention. The second accident, someone hit us from behind. Speed as well as not paying attention contributed to that accident. The third was an impatient driver who did not want to miss the green light and turned after the light turned red. Each of these incidents was a learning lesson for me. I always keep each of these accidents in my mind as a tool to know what not to do.

Safe driving takes practice. When I get in the driver seat I make myself completely aware of the lessons I’ve learned during all driver training, classes and courses I have taken as well as situations that I have encountered (real life lessons). I make sure to remain aware of my surroundings and also look out for other drivers who may not be looking out for me. When I initially enter the car to drive, I always buckle my seat belt and will not move until everyone in the vehicle has done the same. Before I drive off, I always make sure that I have adjusted my seat, mirrors and instruments to avoid doing this while I am driving to avoid this unnecessary distraction. When I am in the passenger seat, I do not distract the driver to make sure they remain aware of the road and their surroundings. I am mindful to limit loud noise be it the radio or conversation. I am an advocate for safe driving. September 29, 2023, I was one of the participants with other high school students who enacted an accident scene where two different set of kids was involved. The kids in the other car was driving while under the influence. Unfortunately, I was one of the passengers who did not survive. This simulations was called “Shattered Dreams”. The Shattered Dream production partnered with Henry County Fire Department Rescue, Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Henry County Emergency Management Agency, Stockbridge Police Department and Grady Health Hospital. This was a two day scenario that gave students and their parents an up-close view of what happens at a drunk driving scene. It further shows the students of the reality of dangerous behavior and steer them towards better alternatives. I was extremely proud to be a participant in this simulation because it helped me, my peers and anyone else who witnessed this enactment to the realness of this situation. It exposed the dreaded truth that those who did not survive the accident and the student who was the drunk driver (received a sentence) will not be going home. It also showed how it affects not only those involved but their family and friends. Therefore, it is with great hope that driver education is viewed by everyone who drives as extremely important.