Doing My Part

When I first started my driver’s education course, I didn’t understand why it required so many hours of work. Sitting through online lessons for months felt excessive. I had always had the mindset, how hard could driving really be? I knew the rules of the road, how to use my turn signal, and when to stop. Unfortunately, once I actually got behind the wheel, I realized just how unprepared I was. The car felt too big to fit in a skinny one lane, and I had no idea how much to turn the wheel or how quickly the brakes would respond. That first experience was terrifying, making me appreciate the amount of work and hours I was required to put in before driving on my own.

Driver education is necessary in keeping the number of accidents down because it teaches people how to be cautious, prepared, and aware. While classroom lessons provide the technical knowledge, nothing will truly prepare students for the road except for the road. I vividly remember how uncomfortable I felt the first time I had to merge onto a highway. The speed of the cars around me, the split-second decision-making, and the pressure of making sure I didn’t cut anyone off, along with the loud voices of everyone in the car made my heart race. I knew what I was supposed to do in theory, but the reality was overwhelming. Through practice, I slowly became more confident in my driving abilities. I realized that safe driving isn’t just about knowing the rules, it’s about applying them in everyday situations. This is what I learned throughout my driver’s education.

Accidents happen in the blink of an eye, and sometimes, one small mistake can have life-altering consequences. I’ve never been in a severe accident myself, but I’ve seen the aftermath of careless driving. My brother and I were once in a fender bender when the car in front of us suddenly slammed on its brakes. He didn’t have enough time to stop, and we crashed into them, leaving a deep dent in our car. While no one was seriously injured, it was a wake-up call for me. Since that day, I always leave a large distance between my car and the one in front of me, especially in stop-and-go traffic. That minor accident reinforced how quickly things can change on the road. If my brother had just one or two more seconds to react, the crash could have been avoided.

I have heard countless stories of people who looked away for just a second, only to have their lives permanently changed. While I have been fortunate enough not to experience a tragic accident firsthand, I have seen the pain they cause. There is nothing more devastating than hearing about someone losing their life or suffering life changing injuries because of a small distraction while driving. One second of distraction, one impulsive decision, one moment of overconfidence behind the wheel can be enough to change everything. It can mean you lose everything. Seeing the way accidents affect families has made me more aware of how important it is to be a responsible driver.

As a teenager, I’ve noticed that many of my friends like to push the limits when driving. Some of them speed, take turns too fast, or brake later than they should. They assume that because they are young, they have better reflexes and can handle their car no matter what. I don’t always say something when a friend is driving a little over the speed limit, but when I feel like they are being reckless, I speak up. There have been times when I’ve had to tell someone to slow down, brake earlier, or take a turn more carefully. Luckily, most of my friends respond well to constructive feedback. They understand that I’m not trying to control them—I just want everyone to be safe.

Even though I consider myself a cautious driver, I know I am not perfect. One bad habit I’ve noticed in myself is that I struggle with head-checking when changing lanes. Whenever I turn my head, I tend to swerve slightly. It’s not enough to cause an accident, but it’s something that makes me nervous. Because of this, I prefer to stay in one lane as much as possible to avoid unnecessary lane changes. While I have never had a close call because of it, I know that improving my ability to check my blind spots without swerving will make me an even safer driver.

I don’t have any major goals when it comes to driving—I already consider myself a very safe driver. I don’t take unnecessary risks, I avoid distractions, and I always prioritize safety over getting somewhere quickly. However, I know that being a good driver isn’t just about my own habits. It’s also about encouraging those around me to drive safely. I plan to continue speaking up when I see unsafe driving and to lead by example.

Driver education is the foundation of safe driving, but real-world experience is what truly prepares people for the road. My own journey has shown me that being a safe driver takes time, patience, and practice. From learning how to drive my car to experiencing minor accidents firsthand, I have developed a deep understanding for the responsibility that comes with driving. I know that if more people drove with caution and awareness, we could prevent countless tragedies. While I may not have big driving goals, my focus remains on keeping myself and others safe. In the end, nothing is more important than making it home safely.