Name: Loren Inman
From: Springfield, Missouri
Votes: 0
Be
There or Be Square
There
are so many ways that we can change the statistics. No phones, new
laws, apps, new car features, education… the list goes on and on
and on. Let’s talk about a few that I believe can really make an
impact.
I
want to start with my passion behind this essay, my own experience.
When I was sixteen, I was on my way to school with my little brother
in the seat next to me. I was talking to my brother when I realized
he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. As I told him the well known phrase,
click it or ticket, he yelled out at me to watch out. The next thing
I knew we were slamming into the side of another car that had ran a
stop light and I was pushing the airbag out of my face. Two totaled
cars and a thankfully safe little brother. My brother is my best
friend, what would I have done without him?
After
this experience of my own I can truly see the importance behind the
education that so many igmore. More education equals more awareness.
After my experience I took an 8 hour driving course with a tenured
sheriff. We learned the importance of paying attention and driving
slow along with what could happen. We learned why laws were set the
way they are whether we like the speed limits or not. Education is so
important because so many citizens think that slipping up just a bit
will be alright but it could ultimately lead to them being part of
the statistic.
A
few steps I believe can help lower the devastating numbers are
putting your phone down and maybe even changing technology, being a
defensive driver, and continued education. Using our phones while
driving is a huge factor. With phones being so prominent, it’s hard
to put them down, and I’ve found so many friends and family falling
to the distraction. Being a defensive driver is so important because
no matter how safe you are, some people are careless. It’s
important to listen to those silly things like look 5 cars ahead or a
car link per 10 mph. The last step is the most important. Where we
take a test when we’re sixteen and maybe check our sight in each
renewal, there’s nothing to remind us of our laws or even new ones
being placed. We need to have mandatory trainings once a year to make
sure we realize the risk.
To
wrap up this essay, while each and every point I’ve made is so
important, you are the only one you can regulate. I’ll make sure to
put my phone away, pay attention, and continue to learn on how to be
a better driver so I can make the roads a safer place for everyone.
What will you do?
