One Notification

One Notification

Driver’s Education is significantly important in the efforts to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. Going into driver’s education as an upcoming sophomore, I really did not know much of anything about the rules of the road other than to stop at stop signs and to drive on the right side. But compared to its unpopularity in high school students, I really enjoyed the class, learning about real-life scenarios, and what was a brand-new topic for me. I found the most important topics to be when we spoke about driver safety regarding seatbelts, hydroplaning, distracted driving, and cell phone use. It is very important for these issues to be addressed to young adults because of their immaturity and lack of carefulness while on the road. My driver’s education class took a lot of time to show us videos of different tragedies that resulted from carelessness while driving and I know for me, this really brought it all into perspective.

Just past a year later from when I was attending driver’s education classes, I received awful news. My uncle was traveling home from work one day when he stopped with his turn signal on while waiting for the cars traveling in the opposite direction to pass. During this time, a car that was fast approaching him contained a driver that was on his phone. His car rammed into the back of my uncle’s and pushed him into oncoming traffic traveling the opposing direction. A few days after getting hit by those two cars, my uncle died. Our family traveled to the hospital to say goodbye, but he way he looked while lying on his hospital bed, you could tell that he was already gone. Because one man decided to text and drive, a man in his thirties passed, people from the accident are scarred, and my family is heartbroken.

To reduce the number of deaths related to driving, always ensure that you and your passengers are securely buckled in and never drive while under the influence of any drug. Always travel the speed limit, perform shoulder checks, and stop in areas where it is required of you. Furthermore, it is extremely important that we do not text and drive and I ask all of you to stay off your phone while driving. We always say that will never happen to me, until it does. If you are ridding in car with someone distracted by their phone, do not hesitate to express your concern, your safety and your life is way more important than one notification.

When you are in the driver’s seat, you are responsible for others’ lives, one mistake can change everything. We are all required to attend driving school and the curriculum is given for a reason. Please be responsible while driving and do not be afraid to speak up.

Share my uncle’s story to the people you know, share any story you hear to the people who drive you around. The road is much more dangerous than deemed. Keep yourself and others safe by following what is taught in driver’s education, if it was not important, there would not be a class for it.