Initiative Behind The Wheel

Manuel
Portillo

03/04/20

Initiative
Behind The Wheel

Drivers
safety is a concern that lives in the mind of the common American.
The thought always lingers, “can I trust the car next to me?”.
Educating today’s drivers on the importance of being behind the wheel
is a necessity because of the increasing number of car accident
related deaths are very high and rising each year. Before drivers
take the wheel, they must understand getting behind the wheel of any
vehicle is to not be taken lightly. The road is not only theirs, but
it is shared between them and many other drivers whose safety depends
on the decisions they choose to make. A single moment of
distraction or negligence can lead to yet another life on the road to
perish. Not only should Drivers be aware of fellow drivers, they
should be aware of any consequence that they may face in case of an
accident. Causing an accident may result in consequences ranging from
a ticket all the way to a murder charge. 

When
adolescents come of the age in which they receive the privilege to
drive, they are just handed from one day to another, a responsibility
not even some adults can’t seem to understand. A large number of car
accidents involved drivers in their teenage years. This could have
many contributing factors; it may have just been a freak accident or
it could have really been a teen who didn’t understand the
magnitude of what they’re actions and or choices could have caused.
A course of action society could really benefit from is requiring new
drivers of all ages to take a “Drivers Safety Education” course.
In implementing the prerequisite, new drivers can be educated on the
safe driving habits the common driver should have. 

My
passion for the topic of safe driving habits stems back to an
experience I had in a car at the age of 11. One day I was leaving a
grocery store with my aunt and I was sitting in the passenger seat as
we were turning into the exit of the parking lot when a truck ran the
stop sign and hit our car. The collision occurred on the passenger
door where I sat. The driver was a young man who happened to be on
his phone when he ran the stop, his decision to text and drive, left
me at 11 years old with an injured back. While it was minor at the
time it occurred, the pain has worsened over the years and I am only
led to believe that his choice will lead to many more years of pain
for me.  

In
order to become a safer driver, I have adopted many habits to assist
me in practicing safe driving. These habits may include, not touching
my phone while I drive, if I would like to listen to music, I place
the songs I would like to listen to in a playlist before I begin
driving. I also refrain from responding to any messages and often
drive with my phone on “do not disturb” mode. Another habit I
practice is keeping my distance from other cars in case of any sudden
stops, I also constantly am checking my mirrors in order to be as
aware of my surroundings as possible. Driving has been a big part of
my life, my childhood has revolved around motocross, UTV racing,
car racing. Despite having driving in my DNA, I understand that
public safety has a higher level of importance than me practicing
what I love to do. I know many individuals carry over their racing
habits onto public roads and that has led me to soon attempt to start
a nonprofit where I can promote safer driving habits to those
adrenaline junkies just like myself.