Why Safe Driving is Important

From a young age, safe driving has always been distilled in my family. My uncle died while riding my dad’s motorcycle when he was just 16 years old. A woman who was severely intoxicated claimed she thought he was a deer. I never want to put my family through another loss again. If the woman who hit my uncle Jason had made smarter decisions he would still be here. If only she had stayed where she was or got a ride home. Then Jason would still be here and I would have had a relationship with my uncle. The drunk woman did not follow safe and responsible driving rules and this caused her to have the guilt and prison time for killing another human being. Because my grandma and my parents used his death as a learning tool, I know I will never drive when I’m intoxicated. If I’m offered a ride by someone who has had something to drink, I will decline and offer to drive them. Safe driving reduces deaths in a number of ways all of which could have saved my uncle’s life. Those who drive should not if they have been taking drugs of any kind, legal or not. If you have been drinking or plan to drink it is important to set a designated driver or schedule an uber. I have also seen countless drivers, teenagers and adults, driving while being on their phone. When your eyes are not on the road, a person, animal, or car could come out of nowhere. It only takes a split second for an accident that can end someone’s life, including yours. Driver education is key in establishing responsible drivers because students are able to learn both hands on and in a classroom. A driver instructor teaches students the right and wrong ways of the road and student drivers are able to learn and ask questions. It is much safer to make a mistake while being with an instructor or driving with a guardian than getting behind the wheel recklessly. I, myself, have never been in a severe car accident but I have friends and familu who have gotten in accidents. I learned that these incidents can be very traumatic and have even led some teenagers I know to be put into comas. Although I have never injured myself while driving, I have scraped a car while pulling into a spot. Even something as minor as this has left an impact on me and I have become much more cautious while parking in parking lots. I think it is important for all drivers to be paying attention at all times while they are behind the wheel because even something minor like what happened to me can happen in seconds. Because I have a lot of anxiety revolving around driving, I’m usually pretty safe when I drive but there is always room for improvement. For example, I always go a bit too fast when I’m traveling. One way I can reduce this issue would be to be a bit more aware of my speedometer. I also sometimes go on my phone to change the music. I know being on my phone is very unsafe so instead I should have any passengers help me out or use my voice commands with my car and phone. Or I could simply listen to the music I have on because it will never be worth the risk of hurting myself or others. I believe the most important thing to remember while driving is thinking about the other people you could be risking when you’re making selfish decisions. As well as to always, always wear your seatbelt because they can save your life. Although they may be a little bit uncomfortable from time to time, they are there to protect you from something that could very well happen to you. I am working harder to better myself and be a more safe driver so I do not endanger others. I have had my license for 2 years and although I’ve made plenty of mistakes, I try to be the best driver I can. I am proud to say I have never been pulled over and I will continue to strive for no tickets as I continue driving. I never want anyone to go through what my family had to do when my uncle Jason died. I will leave one last piece of advice and that is to always think of others while you’re driving because your friends and family expect to talk to you again. The people you share the roads with are also expecting to talk to their loved ones again.