Driver Education Initiative – In the driver’s seat

In
the Drivers Seat

Being
in the driver’s seat brings you excitement, adventure, maturity,
control, and thrill. However, being in the driver’s seat also
brings you responsibility, obligation, authority, and trust. The day
you get your driver’s license seems like the best day of your life.
The feeling a teenager has when they no longer have to be dropped off
everywhere by mom is like no other! On that special day of obtaining
your driver’s license, all you want to do is blast your favorite
music as you drive down the streets letting your new-found freedom
sink in. However, on this day we fail to bring light to the most
important part of operating a vehicle; the responsibility it comes
with. Car accidents are among the most common causes of death. In
fact, according to the association for safe international road
travel, around 1.25 million people die in road crashes each year.
1.25 million, that number is extremely high. Not only are car crashes
so scary, they are extremely tragic. A car crash is such an
unexpected way to lose someone. Driving irresponsibly is the main
cause of these fatal crashes. When you are driving distracted,
intoxicated, or in any way impaired, you are putting the life of
yourself, your passengers, and everyone else on the road in danger.
Therefore, being alert and attentive while driving is something we
all need to practice in order to protect each other and keep the
roads safe. Drivers ed is something that needs to be practiced
to reduce the number of deaths on the road. Having a proper driving
background before getting your license and setting out on to the
roads is imperative. A step we can take to help educate people on
driving, for example, is encouraging everyone to take drivers ed. Not
all kids take drivers ed (or a real-life, in car, driving lesson).
Where I live in Florida, it is not required to actually take driving
lessons with a professional in their car. I think that taking Drivers
Ed is something very beneficial that could help out everyone on the
road. Many insurance companies even offer safe driving courses that
adults can take and lower their insurance rates; its a win-win
situation! Car accidents can change your life in a heartbeat. One
example of this that has always stuck with me is a young man that
works at my high school. When he was in High School, he played
football and had many friends. On the day before he left for college,
he was walking down the street when a young driver hit him and his
girlfriend. His life has never been the same. Despite being told that
he would never talk again, he can talk, walk, and function. However,
he is disabled and has a hard time communicating and being
independent. His story has always stuck with me and reminded me to
pay attention to the road at all times and be alert. However, just me
is not enough. Everyone on the roads needs to practice these safe
driving skills in order for us to stay safe. One mistake like not
paying attention or driving impaired can cost someone their life or
change it forever. It is just not worth it. The text you think you
need to send this instance can wait if it’s costing you your life
or a lifetime of guilt. Another story that has always stayed with me
is about my mom’s best friends. One night my mom’s best friends
all went out to get some drinks. She was supposed to tag along that
night but thank god she did not. Her beautiful best friend, the
driver and the four others in the car ended up wrapped around a pole.
They were all severely injured and one of them did not make it. My
mom’s beautiful best friend had such bad face injuries she was
unrecognizable from that night on. This story always reminds me of
the dangers of irresponsible driving. It is extremely scary. Lives
are at danger and the guilt you will have to live with if something
goes wrong is so immense. Life is precious and driving is a huge and
exciting part of life. However, we all must be educated and drive
responsibly in order to keep ourselves and others safe and protect
this precious life of ours.