Driving in the Right Direction A Step To change

A group of teenagers were getting into the car and speeding off 85 mph. The driver took a glance at her phone “Where ar…” BOOM! They crashed because she ran a stop sign. In this group of teenagers was me. This is how life can flash before the eyes within a matter of seconds. A text was worth what? Losing three people due to a fatal crash. No text is worth any life, and neither is distractions.

I had to learn this the hard way after almost losing my life behind the wheel and while others were driving. The most fatal time was when I was driving on a curved road started to text and ran off a bridge then my car was wrapped around the trees. A tree less than a cm from me almost pierced my skull. Driving is a privilege that should be taken serious and not have any distractions. That day the distraction was my phone. There are several bad habits while driving that every common person has from driving too fast, eating, and worst habit using a cellphone. I will be the first of many to admit I have done all the above.

Have you ever had an experience of being in car accident or have seen your friends or family members driving irresponsibly? I have seen both and did not like being on that side because seeing flashing lights had me afraid in the car more than once. This has made me more aware of the people I get into the car being more cautious of my own life. Also making me want to be more protective of the people that ride in my car to make sure they reach the destination safely. That having those many near death experiences changed my whole outlook on life as a driver and life. That life is here now then gone in a flash.

There are three main types of distraction: ·Visual: taking your eyes off the road; ·Manual: taking your hands off the wheel; and ·Cognitive: taking your mind off driving. Distracted driving causes unnecessary and unintended fatalities and injuries among the drivers and passengers in the world today. Certain incidents can be avoided if the education of distracted driving is conveyed properly to all who in possess of a license to operate motor vehicles and the laws in place to enforcing these to make sure they are continued to be followed. When I was learning to drive it was little enforcement with the laws and education it was actually easy for me to acquire my license.

In recent years distracted driving can almost be described as a pandemic outbreak with only negative effects on the lives of many humans. What is the exact definition of distracted driving it is as follows: “distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving.” These are some of the steps I took to put my bad habits to an end.

Step 1: Be Aware: Taking initiative of ensuring the people in the car and driver make it home safe. To limit distractions like the ringer of a phone. That can be silenced and placed in my purse or bookbag while driving. Even limiting the number of passengers to limit distractions. Even limiting conversations that require focus.

Step 2: Knowing the laws of the road: In school I was taught to study before a big test or final and the ones who did it showed. Getting my driver’s license was a milestone and of course exciting. But it comes with dangers when stepping on the road. Knowing the precautions could have helped me prepare better.,

Step 3: Knowing speeding kills: Speed is one of the highest ways a car accident may occur. Majority of teens think it is a competition and love the thrill of driving fast. Unfortunately, I was one of them, a car may speed up within eight seconds, but it will take at least five car lengths to come to a stop. Meaning even when slamming on the brakes the reaction time can mean life or death. That just because the other car is speeding that does not mean that must happen. Driving to a destination is no competition want to arrive to a place on time leave earlier not rush to lose a life. Planning, prioritizing, and executing my week’s tasks based on importance rather than urgency. That I need to make sure to follow the speed limit and leave early to arrive on time to places.

Step 4: Just be patient and be aware: Life will get annoying when it comes to driving road rage, speeders, and just stupid drivers. I had to not have road rage all the time to just be calm and collect. But not letting that get to a driver is key. The goal is arriving at the destination alive. Staying aware on the surrounding’s while driving while I limit social media, texting, eating, and the speeding racer mentality I had to save a life. That what I did with better habits can save a life.

Development takes time, especially when you’re trying to replace an old habit with a new one, as it turns out, developing good study habits from your former ineffective habits will be considered as a rehab. I began to start my own rehab to better habits now than later. When developing good habits, you have to set time for everything. Plan a daily schedule and start developing it is never too late. I intend to put an end to these bad habits because my life is more valuable than a text, speeding, or a quick bite. A life is priceless and once it is gone there is no point of return. I have seen several car accidents as well as been in severe one’s of my own. Life is too short to not take life serious or even appreciate the life given. I would rather put a halt to the bad habits that will kill me if I do not than miss out on a few texts that can wait a few minutes. What is the importance of driver education in reducing the number deaths because of driving? The importance of driver education is to make sure new drivers know the dangers of what can happen on the road. Without this education people would be lost on the road and more accidents would occur. Deaths are increased because of the bad habits and less knowledge of the numbers of fatalities that occur because many thinks it will not happen to them.