Buckle up or Buckle Down on Consequences.

Getting behind the wheel was probably the best and the scariest moment of my life. Feeling the leather steering wheel under my palms and turning it as the car was off, gave me a power I never knew I was going to have. But it dawned on me as I started the car. I could change so many lives just by one drive. With one look at my cellphone, one’s life could be changed. Not paying attention to cars around me just to switch to my favorite song, could hurt my community. Just one action can ripple the effect inside my neighborhood. Driving education is a responsibility for all. An oath that needs to be taken before the car’s engine roars to life. This responsibility should be taken seriously, as it could also take a life.

We’ve all been in a car with someone horrible at driving. Making us baffled as to how they got their license. As for me, it was my best friend. Every time she drove, I gripped the door, holding onto it so tight that I wished the door just opened and took me out just in case my crazy friend decided they were going to take me with them. It was a scary feeling. To this day, I promise myself when I’m behind that wheel. I’m in control of everything and I’m going to be as safe as possible. Because of her, I always put my phone on Do Not Disturb and only allow calls when someone calls a second time. In case of an emergency. I turn on my playlist before I even start the car. Before the key is even in the slot. I do everything on my cellphone before I start the car to make sure I’m not distracted. I tell the person I’m talking to before I am in the car that I am driving, and then I’ll text them when I arrive at my destination. It’s just the little things that change everything.

Safe driving is very important and should be taught to those who are learning to drive once they decide to get their license. Driving education should be just as important as doing courses for driving a bus or a truck. They’re just as dangerous! Pushing for more affordable driving courses and explaining the real consequences of reckless driving, I believe, can help reduce accidents. I believe we should have a proper cut-off point for when people should stop driving. Elderly shouldn’t be driving if they’re retired. If they are, I believe they need to be taking a course every year or two to show that they’re able to drive. From experience, almost all accidents were from elderly citizens. I haven’t almost gotten in an accident from any of my peers. Although there are some that I wished never learned how to drive, every time I look over, I see an elderly citizen, and baffles me how they’re still driving. I believe there should be stricter rules when it comes to driving. When rules are stricter, the more severe it is. For people to have this education, more realization can happen.

Something I wish my parents taught me when I was learning how to drive was how nervous I was going to be. I didn’t realize how nerve-wracking driving was going to be until I was on the road with other drivers. Palm sweating, gut clenching nervous. I was more scared of hitting something than turning on the car. I wish they eased me into it. But I was grateful that I had someone to coach me and push me rather than baby the situation. They knew I was ready, and I was grateful to have supportive coaches.

A step that a new driver could take is to learn the vehicle before even taking it out on the road. Know where everything is inside and practice safe driving. This helped me a lot when needing to know what is where in case, I’m actively driving and need to turn on the button. If it is known that a friend is horrible at driving, volunteer to drive! It can both have a safe driving experience and strengthen a friendship. From experience, just telling a friend I can drive took a lot off their shoulder. They’re just as nervous as we are. Learn to share the responsibility. They’re able to relax and talk, while I can focus on the road instead. Safe driving is very important and needs to be advocated for. Just one action can change a community forever.