“In the Driver’s Seat”

“An average of 34,000 people die each year as a result of driving,” This quote caught my eye since I have lost someone very close to me in a car accident, and sadly to say, I almost killed myself, sister and two cousins as a result of being inexperienced and I sure do miss Scarlet. Driver education is crucial in reducing the number of deaths, it can help teenagers become better and safer drivers; I only wish it was easier to have access to the better programs.

First and foremost, I would like to give a shout out to The Driver Education Initiative Award: “In the Driver’s Seat” Scholarship Opportunity. I don’t usually apply simply because I am literally busy with studying, deadlines, and this crazy fraternity that I questionably joined. My mother who is currently living in my elderly grandparents 2- bedroom apartment due to inflation and home insurance skyrocketing forced her to surrender in becoming a “caretaker,” all over again. I keep telling her, she just misses her kids, but the truth is, without money your options are limited. Back on track, if only I was able to take the unlimited driving classes for $500.00 as opposed to the course the school offered, I wonder if the Scarlet would still be here today.

I saved every penny I had from the moving company I worked for and went online every night to find a rebuilt Q60 that I can afford. My mother always told me there were ways to look like a million bucks while still being on a budget. I eventually found Scarlet, her and I had a bond like no other. I spent every night washing her, and every penny I had making her look beautiful. The car looked like it as out of a magazine and I felt like all the other kids, finally! My parents made certain that I took the Saturday classes from school, but I kept telling them that it was a waste of time. To be honest, it was they didn’t let you drive for more than 10 minutes, and it was in a parking lot due to the number of students they had. I ended up not going while my other friends had the unlimited $500.00 rides with a private instructor. This guy let them drive on 95 and picked them up right from their house whenever they felt like taking a ride. Needless to say, I totaled Scarlett after having her for only 3 months; it was literally the most traumatizing day of my life. I had my sister in front and my two cousins in the back. I went through an intersection with the music blaring and my adrenaline pumping as we headed to the gym. I didn’t look well enough and unfortunately it happened, the tires flew across the street and Scarlett was gone; we didn’t’ have collision so she really was “gone.” From the grace of God, everyone made it out alive but I still say if I had more experience this would not have happened.

In addition, I also had friend whose dad bought him a Tesla. I know crazy, ludicrous, but at least now you know why I wanted a Q60, rebuilt or not it’s the nature of the beast. We all want to keep up as teenagers and play things off so we can fit in with he rest. Now, he did get the private lessons, but he made poor choices. His name was Michael, and he really was a nice kid, I liked him a lot. His friend was in his car and I’m thinking he wanted to “show out,” Michael was driving 90 miles per hour down a side street, hit a concrete wall and died on impact. These are the kinds of incidents you hear about with teenage drivers, and I totally understand it. We can drive a car at 18, but we can’t drink alcohol. I’m thinking we should be able to do neither and if we do drive it should be MANDATED that all of us take lessons with private instructors and get the proper amount education that is readily available. It shouldn’t be offered to only the people who can afford it, that makes no sense to me. If these courses mandated and free it would help teenagers be better and safer drivers.

To sum up everything that has been stated, drivers’ education for new drivers is beyond critical. To think that the number of people who die each year because of driving is more than the total number of American soldiers who have died from war in Afghanistan and Iraq combined is heartbreaking and disturbing. Thank you again to National Driving and Traffic Schools everywhere, but there is clearly a need for more!