I Couldn’t believe it.

Over a year ago, as I sat at the corner booth of an Olive Garden, eating the meal before my last high school dance, I learned that not every state requires teens to take Drivers Ed. I nearly spit water down my dress, floored at the idea of teens being free to roam the streets in a motor vehicle without the education I had received.  Having learned this while on the subject of Missouri, I immediately looked up car related deaths in Missouri, and then Utah.  Low and behold Missouri had a death rate of 1.2 for every 100 million drivers vs Utah’s .81.  It was at this moment that I understood the importance of that 3 month Drivers Ed course that, at the time, I’d despised doing.  Looking back on my experience with Drivers Ed, I realize that I learned a lot of important things I never would have known like stopping before the sidewalk at a stop sign, correct hand positions while turning, and how to parallel park.  However, If I had to choose a few topics that would decrease car related deaths, they would be driving techniques in bad weather, and what to do in emergency situations.  It’s been those less discussed topics that have kept me from accidents before.  Unfortunately, just because you know what to do, doesn’t mean everyone else will, and not all accidents can be avoided on your own.  I experienced this my junior year of high school.  

It was the middle of March, and I was headed to a HOSA competition.  The day of the competition there was a huge rainstorm, and at the time I didn’t think much of it. I had driven in the rain many times without an issue, but unfortunately, this was not going to be one of those times.  I got on the free-way and was driving at a moderate pace when suddenly there was a large black SUV passing me.  One minute I saw the black body slide quickly towards me and the next I was spinning out of control across the free-way, and into a giant road sign.  I slid to a stop on the side of the free-way and tried to calm my breathing.  I couldn’t believe what had happened.  Fortunately, though my car was nowhere near unharmed, I was. Since that accident I have been extremely cautious when driving in the rain and have been especially conscious of my speed.

Coming from my own experience with driving, I think the most important steps to take in order to drive safely are to eliminate distractions, be patient, and be aware.  If we can get rid of all external distractions and let safe driving be our main focus while in a motor vehicle, we will decrease motor related deaths significantly. The best way to promote safe driving in others, is to be an example of it ourselves, and I will make sure to be that example to those around me.