Driving: Our Independence and Responsibility

I am one of the thousands of drivers in the United States, but I have only been driving by myself for a few months. Driving can help establish one’s independence and can be very exciting. However, driving can be dangerous if people are not careful. Many drivers, especially teenagers, have lost their lives while driving. It is important to educate people on safe and proper driving. By participating in driving education, thousands of people can be saved now and in the future. These will help people learn about the safest way to drive, to protect not only themselves but others on the road.

One effective way to decrease the amount of driving-related deaths is to hold mandatory driving classes for high school students starting their freshman year. Even if students are too young to drive, it is important they learn the rules of the road. By starting early, these students are more prepared when the time comes to get behind the wheel. It also builds their confidence on the road and allows them to make rational decisions that will keep everyone safe. Additionally, even if a person has been driving for years, everyone should take a refresher class, to reinforce the proper way of driving. Furthermore, if a person is seen breaking the law while driving, they should be punished accordingly and not only given a ticket. They should have to go to a class to learn about their mistakes. Finally, the road test people take when getting their license should be taken every year to ensure that drivers understand the rules of the road and can get a refresher not just in the classroom but in the real world. It is like going to the doctor’s office once a year for a physical to make sure a patient is healthy. Taking the road test each year will make sure everyone is a safe driver.

While I have never been in an accident, I was almost in one. I was merging onto a highway and I had checked my blind spot and mirrors once. However, when I went to merge, I did not notice a car speeding past me, and I almost hit the side of the person’s car with my car when merging. I pulled away quickly so no one got hit but it was scary to know something could have happened. Though I checked my blind spots and mirrors once, I should have checked it again and not tried to rush to merge onto the highway. I got nervous when merging, thinking I would have run out of room to merge but I actually had a lot of time and so, I need to be more cautious.

No one, including myself, will be a perfect driver. Some mistakes will happen. However, it is always best to prepare for situations to try and prevent accidents from occurring. One step I can take to better my driving skills is to go to new areas because they will lead me to think and perceive each situation differently. I will learn what rules I would have to follow in that area and will therefore become a better driver. I am used to the routes I drive every day and so changing it will force my brain to think more and figure out what is the safest way to drive in the new area. Other ways I can help is by going over the rules of the road with my family and friends when they become drivers. I would take them to an empty space and simulate different situations to help prepare them. I also want to start talking to them about driving when they are around 14 years old because even though they cannot drive at that age, they can still learn the rules of the road and then know how to apply that knowledge to the real world.

Overall driving is a wonderful experience that helps people learn about responsibility. In my case, I felt more independent when I started driving. With that said, a car is not a toy, and driving on the road is not a game. A person can get seriously hurt or die if people are not careful when driving. By learning about the rules of the road at a young age and having others guide you when the time comes to drive, a person will become a better driver and will be able to keep thousands of people, including themselves, safe on the road.