2024 Drivers Ed Essay Contest

Driver’s education can significantly reduce the amount of deaths resulting from driving. Teenagers need to take driver’s education more seriously because of the importance it has when driving. Teens typically skip the video or walk away once they play it, missing out on key information that could potentially save their lives or others. The videos driver’s education show is life changing and I wish my teens took it seriously. My mom would make sure I was watching the videos to ensure I am understanding and comprehending what the videos are showing me. She would also quiz me on the things that were shown regardless if the program had a quiz after the videos. I am grateful for that because now I understand the risk that is involved when I am behind the wheel. I am responsible for everybody’s lives in the car.

There are a few steps that I can take to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. The first is to not speed. Speeding is never worth it. Getting to your desired destination seconds, or one minute faster is never worth the risk of crashing and ending someone’s life or even yours. This mistake is what many teenagers do, thinking it’s cool to speed or they are late to someplace they need to be. The saying “better late than never” is important to remember the next time you are late. Another step to reduce the death rate for driving is to not drive drunk or visually impaired without glasses or contacts. Being impaired hinders your ability to drive more than you think. Your decision making and reflexes you thought you had are gone. Another issue that is related to deaths from driving is texting and driving. Texting while driving takes your attention away from the road and to your phone. This is a dangerous thing to do.

Last Thanksgiving, my grandma invited the family over to celebrate. My parents and my brother along with my family from my dads side were all there. We all were having a good time eating and talking to family we have not seen in a while. As some of the family was leaving, I saw my younger cousin who just started driving getting ready to leave. My aunt and uncle had already left to go home, and their son (my cousin) was getting ready to leave. As he said his goodbyes to everyone I walked him to his car talking about school and sports. He gets in and drives off and the moment he gets on the road, he slams on the gas to impress everyone outside and couldn’t control the car and he ends up in the ditch. From trying to seem cool, he ended up totallying his car and some scratches. Trying to be “cool” cost him his car and my uncle won’t buy him another car yet. This irresponsible act lost all his trust in his parents and now he has no car to drive. Always practice safe driving regardless if you think nothing will happen, because you never know.

There are many steps to ensure safety while driving. Having your phone connected and your GPS ready and working before you start driving will help ensure safety. If you need glasses, make sure you have glasses or contacts before driving. Another way is to put your cell phone away either in your pocket or to turn off your phone so the distraction will not be an issue. Do not eat while driving. This takes your focus off the road and to your hand to make sure the food successfully made it in your mouth. If you have had something to drink, never get behind the wheel of a vehicle and have someone you know that hasn’t drunk to drive you. Following road signs like speed limits, no u-turns, construction zones, school zones, etc will all reduce the risk of driving. Make sure your mind is in a clear state to drive because driving is a risk. Leaving early to get to your destination will anticipate traffic so you won’t have to speed for being late. Remember to stay about 3 seconds behind the car in front of you so you have enough time to react to whatever the situation is. Scan your surroundings around you with your mirrors periodically. If the road conditions are not ideal, do not go the speed limit but slow down and focus. In all, the practice of defensive driving is the safest and most effective way to ensure your and others safety.