2024 Drivers Ed Essay Contest

I’m currently a 17-year-old high school senior. When I started my driver’s ed journey at 15.5 years of age, my glorious teenage self thought it was another chore put on my schedule and by who else other than my parents! I mean how dare they! You see I was a busy sophomore taking AP classes, playing sports, working part time and hanging out with my friends and this added nuance of another curriculum just wasn’t on my radar. I thought driving came naturally as all my 15-year-old self-had watched my parents always get in the car and just drive me to places.

I was in for a surprise and learnt just how very important the driver’s education class is. I would say it is the most important class one will ever take in their lifetime. Reading the BMV booklet wasn’t as engaging as the audio and video of the drivers’ education classes. I’m very glad that it is mandatory requirement for teen drivers by the BMV. It brought every concept to the fore front and put a visual for me. I learnt hands on the different road conditions, different lane formations, what to watch out for, how to keep a safe driving distance and even the procedures to follow every time one gets in the car – all while sitting safely at my home on a computer without having to step one foot in the car. That to me was very valuable.

When I was 8 years old, I unfortunately had the experience of being in a car accident rear ended by a then teenager. My mom was driving me back from my weekly piano lesson and it was a mundane drive locally on a 2-lane road, 1 in each direction. It was one of the dark fall nights in October here in Northeast Ohio with constant drizzling rain. Just as my mom stopped because the traffic in front of her stopped, there was a loud crash sound and our car jolted with force. It was like nothing I had ever heard, I screamed and started crying. My visibly shaken mom kept it together as our car was forcibly pushed into the oncoming traffic in the other lane. My mom somehow steered it back into our lane and then again, a big BOOM from the back. Our car was totaled. Kudos to the oncoming driver in the other lane that they did not hit our car from the front. The ambulance and police cars descended upon us. It was very scary for me as an elementary school kid.

We later learned that the teenager was watching down on his radio controls when he suddenly saw our car stop but it was too late. The second hit was because he couldn’t still maintain control of his car and went on to hit a utility pole on the side of a house. Thankfully we were all ok and I was crying away amidst all this. That night was one of the scariest nights I ever experienced. As I recall the incident as a teenager myself, I cannot reiterate the importance of drivers’ education combined with always being alert since conditions change very rapidly on the road at any given point. What can seem a mundane drive can turn into something other if not being careful and attentive at all times behind the wheel.

Many steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving with first and foremost being very attentive. A sleep-deprived, tired mind and body getting behind the wheel is one of the most dangerous in my opinion. Sure, we all want to be independent and be able to go to places whenever we can, but at the same time we are responsible not only for ourselves, our families but others around us and their families as well. Another important step I consider is not driving while impaired. Alcohol and other substances reduce our brain’s ability to react in the swift manner required while driving. Always plan ahead and have a designated driver before making any plans to drink even if it is a single drink.

The steps I take every time I get into the car to be a better driver are-
1) Be alert and attentive.

2) Inspect your surroundings at all times when getting into a parked car at a commercial lot.

3) Perform checks as you lock doors, adjust mirrors especially if you are sharing cars with your family like I share. Always wear seatbelts.

4) Reverse very slowly and turn as many times as possible to check in all directions. There might be a kid or an elderly person moving slowly right behind your vehicle.

5) Once safely out of the parking lot, pay attention to traffic. Keep a very safe following distance.

6) When changing lanes, always check your blind spot. No matter how equipped your car is with new alarming devices, nothing beats a visual head turn in both directions before changing lanes.

7) Giving yourself enough time to reach the place of your destination. There could be many factors that can catch you by surprise and get out of your control on the way like traffic, weather, accidents.

8) Keep your vehicle in working condition. Since I’m currently sharing my parents’ car, I’m learning how scheduled maintenance checks are important. Keeping the tire pressures at recommended pressure, oil levels, brakes, and all other parts all work hand in hand to deliver a safe ride every single time.

We all share the roadways with everyone around us including bicyclists, motor bike riders, pedestrians and occasionally animals. The only way we can react on time is when we give ourselves grace and practice safe following distance. No amount of rush or any excuse is worth our lives, our families’ futures and those around us. We can apologize for being late, but we cannot apologize if there is a fatal injury on the road. No amount of apologies will ever change the fact that the family now suffers forever. I will recall all my life the incident I was part of. Even though everyone was safe the impact it left will last a lifetime.

I mentor my juniors on being a safe driver by advocating for all the rules I follow. I discourage more than one passenger for my age group. I will safeguard the privilege I have, which is driving and being independent.