Safe Drivers Save Lives

Driver
education can mean the difference between life and death for new
drivers as well as those driving the same roads. When I turned
sixteen, my parents enrolled me in a drivers ed program before
I was able to take my driver’s test. At the time, I enrolled in the
course only to lower my insurance cost and secondly, my parents made
it a stipulation. However, two lessons into the program, I began to
realize that I had much to learn. It was during a night lesson when
my instructor had me merge onto US 22 during rush hour. I had been a
passenger in my parents’ car and merged onto the same highway
hundreds of times, but this time I was merging with my hands on the
wheel. It became immediately apparent that I was extremely nervous
and my instructor told me to relax, slow down, and be sure to look
back twice before merging. I did as he told me and the merge was
successful.

In
order to reduce the number of driving fatalities, I believe that
anyone applying for a driver’s license should be required to enroll
in an accredited drivers ed course once they have passed
their written permit test. My high school required a driver’s
education course, which not only taught the basics but projected
graphic scenes depicting what can occur when the rules of the road
are not followed.

It
was one year ago that I was sitting in the back seat of my friend’s
car. We were on our way to a basketball game when he began reading
and sending text messages. We were in stop-and-go traffic when he hit
the gas instead of the brake. We ended up rear-ending the car in
front of us. I had been on my own phone and didn’t realize it until
the impact. Thankfully, there was minor damage and no one was hurt.
However, it could have been much worse. This sticks with me to this
day. I do not even text as a passenger anymore. Part of driver safety
is paying close attention to your surroundings.

For
myself and those I have as passengers in my own car, I vow to obey
the speed limit, drive carefully, and responsibly. It isn’t only
your own life you are risking when driving irresponsibly, but
everyone else on the road with you. An educated and safe driver can
and will save lives.