Name: Sydney Doris Barker
From: Flagstaff, Arizona
Votes: 0
Barker
3
Sydney
Barker
DmvEdu.org
Scholarship Essay
13
November 2019
S.A.F.E.R
Tire Rotations: Self
Analysis
For
Everyone’s
Right
to Tire Revolutions
Driving
is a personal addiction. The activity of gripping the steering wheel,
playing background music, and forgetting everything except the
thought process needed to drive is a form of meditation. Driving
creates a sense of control. However, one must come to terms with the
aspect of not actually being in full control. Accidents happen often
and the driver may or may not be able to control if this happens, but
one should be as prepared as possible.
Driver
education is an essential entity of being properly prepared for
driving. There are many classes available in various locations so
that one may learn the risks and how to avoid the worst-case
scenario. A new driver is normally not familiar with how to drive in
certain weather conditions, how to correct hydroplaning, and proper
procedures if an accident was to occur. Classes and the practice of
driving with an instructor gives a new perspective to a learning
driver. This should be the first step after one receives their permit
to assure, they are well educated.
After
legally being able to drive on the public roadway, one must take the
steps to follow the law to the best of their abilities. The laws of
the road are put in place to keep every driver safe. Stop signs
matter. One must go at green and stop at a red light, as well as slow
down at a yellow light. The speed limit is not a suggestion but a
safe maximum speed. All of these are forms of societal accepted laws
that create a safe driving environment. One must pay attention to
their surroundings to drive safely and abide
by the law.
The
next would to be acknowledge the weather and road conditions. The
weather does have a great impact on one’s ability to drive.
Therefore, a driver should understand their skill and experience.
After a fresh snow a new driver should practice with an experienced
driver to learn how to drive with the snow before one drive on the
roads alone. Black ice and snow creates a new level of difficulty.
One must also be aware of the effects of wet roads. Hydroplaning is
potentially very dangerous if not handled correctly. One must be
prepared and think ahead.
Planning
the route and adjusting for the weather is important. However, the
underlying aspect of these notions is the concept of attention. One
must only focus on the road and the task of driving. One must not
participate in texting, applying makeup, making a phone call,
drinking, eating, or many other activities as that means one’s
focus is not fully on driving. Attention is the most important aspect
of driving, but it is a choice. This choice is made while one is
already in the act of driving. It is a choice that may affect a life
or death situation.
The
last step is to assure that the vehicle that is being driven is
insured as well as in good condition. Maintenance on a vehicle plays
a big role in safe driving. Seatbelts, e-brake, brakes, airbag, and
many more parts of a car or truck are essential to assuring one’s
safety and preventing deaths. Even if there is not another vehicle in
an accident a person may still die if a vehicle is flipped.
Seatbelts, the air bag, and a strong vehicle frame may save one’s
life.
I
have been in several car accidents that did not end in fatality.
The first was when I was very young. The light turned green at an
intersection and my mother proceeded after double checking that
others were not illegally going through the intersection. She got
have way through the intersection when a motorcyclist flew through
the intersection and hit our vehicle, which caused both modes of
transportation to spin. The motorcyclist was wounded but alive, and
my mother and I were not injured. A second accident my father was
involved in resulted in him getting T-Boned after getting a green
arrow at an intersection. The driver that hit my father’s vehicle
did not realize the light was red as the ice fog was severe. My
father had to go to the hospital and out vehicle was totaled.
Everyone in this accident, luckily, waked away from it alive.
Personally,
I have never hit a vehicle and I have never been hit. However, due to
icy conditions I have spun out of control after I drove over a black
ice patch that I did not see. I recovered and carried on my
activities for the day being more mindful. In another instance I had
not put on my winter tires on my little car, so when I walked out of
my high school after softball practice and saw a snowstorm, I was
naturally worried. I attempted to drive with my summer tires in very
slick conditions. After getting a block away from my school in
Fairbanks, Alaska I pulled over, turned on my hazards, and called my
father. I was not getting any traction and being 17 years old meant I
did not have enough experience to drive home in the conditions
presented. My father and mother came to rescue me. My mother picked
me up while dropping my dad off to drive my vehicle home. If I had
not made this decision I may have injured or killed someone or myself
on the drive home.
I
as a fellow driver have a certain responsibility to be a wise driver.
I share the roads with many individuals and we each have a right to
life. I must take steps to assure I am a safe driver. Some steps that
might assist me in this are taking drivers ed courses every 5 to 10
years to refresh, follow the laws of the road, and learn from
personal and other’s experiences. Lastly, I should always familiarize
myself with the vehicle before I drive it.
I
often talk to others and recommend the drivers course that I have
taken twice already. I share my experiences with my younger sister so
that she may pay attention to aspects I did not at first. My main
goal is to minimize the chances of an accident. To secure less
injuries and deaths caused by irresponsible driving starts with being
aware what it takes to drive safely.
Thank
you for offering this scholarship, as well as for your time and
consideration.
