if one life is saved, it was worth it!

I’d like to start by introducing myself. My name is Ryan Barnett, but I use my middle name “Cooper”. I am currently a high school senior, who is really excited to graduate this May. I am planning to become an engineer. I love learning about computers and software. I am the oldest of four children. I have two brothers and sister. I would consider myself a new driver. I started driving by myself in July of 2022. I had practice with my parents for a year before, took drivers education at my school and took the extra, after school driving class. I think this made me feel more prepared.

I feel like the driving education I received was very helpful. It taught me many things I didn’t know. I also think sometimes we feel like we already know a lot, but the driver’s education classes can show us, where we can improve and that everyone can benefit by learning more every day. I feel showing new drivers’ facts will open their eyes, that it can happen to me. If the education, we receive helps to make even one person make a better choice and save even one life. It was all worth it.

A few steps we could take to educate new drivers could include, facts and statics about car accidents based on drivers within the first two years of getting your permit/license. A cartoon or clip of the consequences of bad driving choices and what they do to not only your future but also, your family and community. I also think some personal testimonies from people who have made mistakes with large consequences, sharing their personal experiences would really hit home for many of us. Hearing the outcomes of things that actually happened would be eye opening. I also think it would help to have more hands-on experience too. Facts and testimonials will greatly help to teach us. But nothing can replace actually driving and getting practice.

Unfortunately, I do have personal experience with car accidents. Three so far and I’m only 17. We were rear ended by a truck when I was about six. It was scary but luckily, we were all ok. The other driver said he wasn’t paying attention and he thought we had already turned. Then last year an older women hit me in a store parking lot. This made me upset and caused damage to my car. But her insurance did fix it. She also admitted she wasn’t paying attention. The third one was my fault and happened just a month and a half ago. I was following someone too close, and she slammed on her brakes. It caused a small amount of damage to her rear bumper and the front end of my car. We were all ok, thank God. But it did really shake me up and make me realize how fast things can go wrong. Even with my classes and extra education, it still happened to me.

There are many things I can do to help myself and others be better drivers. I’ve learned what a huge responsibility and privilege it is to be able to drive. The first and most helpful thing I have learned is to always pay attention! Everyone gets distracted but we can all do better to focus and prioritize the road in front of us. I would share this piece of advice with new drivers first. I also feel it’s really important to not let your cell phone become more important than driving. It’s too easy to think we can send that quick text and it won’t matter. But many of those quick texts were someone’s last and what caused them or someone else to die. My next piece of safety advice would be to not let the passengers in your vehicle distract you. Also, to pay attention who you let drive you around. Don’t get in the car with someone you don’t feel safe with, who makes bad driving decisions, drinks, or drives under the influence. Or someone who has many past traffic infractions or accidents. Think ahead, look at weather or other influences that might be happening in your current location, throughout your trip and at your destination. Also, keep your vehicle properly maintained. Check you tires, fluids etc.… Have a plan and know what to do if your car was to stall in the roadway or if you get stranded on the side of the road.

In closing, I would like to thank you for considering me. I truly feel “If it saves even one life, it was worth it!”