My safer way of driving

At the age of 17, I figured it was a right of passage to obtain my driver’s license and be part of the freeway community. The thought of getting into my vehicle and it taking me anywhere I wanted excited me to no end because it was the beginning of my true independence. I thought it was going to be a breeze taking the test, driving classes, and final driving exam. Well, I was wrong, after failing my first online temp test, I was pretty disappointed with myself because I consider myself a fairly smart kid. It wasn’t until I passed the temp test on my third attempt that I realized that I had a lot to learn.

Then I thought that I would just get into a car, press the ignition and away I go with ease. My first day of driving with my mom was pretty intense, not sure if it was because of my driving or the way she corrected me at every move, which only made it worse! I surely did not realize the amount of attention I needed to drive safely for myself and everyone else or how quickly I needed to make decisions to avoid accidents not to mention the laws that I needed to know and signs that I needed to understand. Yeah, a lot for a 17-year-old to comprehend.

It wasn’t till I started my driving classes that I realized how important driver’s education is. I do feel that the time I spent with my instructor was invaluable because he was able to teach me the correct way to drive a vehicle safely on the roads in different weather conditions and with a sense of calmness. He made me feel at ease while driving because he was not a nervous Nelly like my mom. I learned so much from my driving education that after I completed the classes I felt very confident on taking the final test. The knowledge that I learned was invaluable, for example: always looking at all three mirrors constantly to be aware of my surroundings, buckling my seatbelt, hand placement on the steering wheel, distractions like phones and friends talking, as well as applied pressures to the brake and gas pedals never crossed my mind when I first started driving but now use religiously every day. I cannot express the importance of driver’s education to every kid that’s looking to start his/her journey. I do feel that 16 years of age is a little too young for kids to get their license, maybe 18 or 20 are better ages for maturity and comprehension reasons.

I know that there are numerous steps that can be taken to reduce the number of vehicle deaths in this world and I truly believe distractive driving due to cell phones are at the top reasons. I just feel that people feel that they must answer or respond to a text regardless of what they are doing even if it is driving. I have a hard time understanding why there is not some kind of electronic trigger that would automatically shut off a phone once someone enters their vehicle. I also believe that raising the driver’s age would cut down on traffic deaths too. Of course, the decision to not drink or consume drugs while driving one would think is a no brainer but how many times do we hear of those kind of deaths. Driving the speed limit and not driving like your on a racetrack are also key points that people should respect but the way people drive these days I almost feel that I may be the cause of an accident because I am going the limit and so many people don’t. I also think that driver education hours should be extended and include mandatory day and night driving along with in climate weather driving conditions to give new driver’s more experience. Lastly I leave the thought of road rage, It’s just not worth it to retaliate..

In conclusion, I feel that driver’s education, traffic laws, and eliminating distractive driving are a must for a safer and better driver experience but just like all good things in life, it comes down to each and every one of use making the right decision. I’m fortunate that I was raised with parents that instilled that in me with every decision I make because it does make life a lot more rewarding and positive!