Our Responsibility in Reducing Deaths Due to Driving

Although I was excited about the freedom that I felt driving a vehicle would provide me, I was overwhelmed with the responsibility of controlling a vehicle and was somewhat reluctant to begin the process. I had grown comfortable with being shuttled back and forth by my parents. But driving was a rite of passage and I challenged myself to begin the process once I turned sixteen.

Because my mother worked in insurance, I often heard stories of accidents, not so good drivers, the cost of insurance, and the consequences of bad driving. Her main concern was that I would have an accident and cause injury to myself or someone else. My parents first taught me to drive but then turned me over to a driving instructor. The driving education I received played a crucial role in boosting my confidence and establishing safe driving habits. I learned the rules of the road, how to drive in bad conditions, and how to avoid potential dangers. Once I understood how the vehicle worked and gained knowledge about safe driving practices, I felt ready to exercise some freedom with my newfound skill. I believe that driver’s education is essential for both eager and somewhat reluctant drivers like myself.

My mother’s insurance agent voice always echoed in my head, emphasizing the importance of wearing seatbelts, driving responsibly for the sake of others, avoiding distractions like cell phones, limiting the number of passengers, maintaining a safe vehicle, and keeping the music volume low to stay aware of the surrounding, staying alert and focused. All these precautions help reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities. I always felt my mother was overly cautious because of her occupation but soon learned her advice was intended to keep me and others safe.

I witnessed numerous accidents while commuting to and from school, as students hurriedly entered or exited the parking lot. The beginning of and the end of classes have been prime time for accidents to take place, as kids rush to class, practice, home or to part-time jobs. To avoid such situations, I made it a point to arrive early and leave late when most of the students had already left. Patience is crucial when driving, ensuring your own safety and that of others on the road.

Despite all the lessons and lectures I received about driving; I recently received my first speeding ticket. I was nervous and terrified to inform my mother, feeling like I had let her and myself down. I received a ticket and a court date, accompanied by many more lectures. Instead of simply paying the fine, my mother wanted me to fully understand the consequences of breaking the law and endangering others through my speeding. We went to court, and the experience was very unpleasant. We witnessed individuals facing charges for speeding, driving with suspended licenses, driving without insurance, and failure to pay tickets. It was particularly shocking and disturbing to witness a young man being handcuffed and taken away to jail due to multiple infractions. This experience made me realize the immense responsibility of driving and how it should never be taken for granted. It also served as a deterrent because I do not want to be in that situation again or put anyone in danger due to my lapse in judgement.

Driving is a privilege, and if we want to maintain that privilege, we must follow the rules of the road. No one has more right to be on the road than anyone else, and if we choose to drive, we owe it to other drivers to operate our vehicles safely. The court experience, combined with all the lessons, stories, and scenarios shared by my mother and driving instructor, flooded my mind. After my court experience. While driving on shared roads presents many dangers, it is also essential for leading a normal life. The absence of driving would cause significant hardship to most. The longer I have driven, I have developed more of a comfort level and my confidence has grown.

The lessons I have learned are never far from thought, as our roads get busier. I smile when my mother is riding with me, and I see her putting on brakes from her passenger seat and she is reminding me that driving is a privilege and comes with responsibility. If we all do our part to keep ourselves and others safe on the road it has a widespread affect and our roads become safer for everyone. We all have personal responsibility behind the wheel.