With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility

Driver Education Initiative Award Sydney Rockwood

Scholarship Essay 11/9/2020

Driver’s education for all is an essential step that needs to be taken to ensure the well-being and safety of the millions of Americans who drive and commute in their everyday lives. With more driver’s education opportunities starting at a young age, we can take back the statistics of irresponsible drivers causing unfortunate accidents leading to lifelong consequences for everyone involved, whether the victim is the driver or a passenger. Vehicular transportation is something so ingrained in our everyday lives that carries a startling amount of risks that don’t even cross the mind of everyday commuters. If I look at my daily routine, I, and I think many others, cannot find anything in my routine nearly as dangerous as driving from place to place, but it’s so common that we don’t even think about it until we have a close call that shakes us.

Growing up, my father was a UPS driver and constantly stressed to us the importance of following the rules of the road and driver’s safety as we reached the age where we were curious about learning to drive. My mother also has an hour-long commute she takes several times a week, and she also encountered her fair share of close calls on her route there and back. As a family who lived in a remote area and utilized driving much more than someone in the midst of the city would, I was greatly exposed to the highs and lows of behavior on the road. The negative effects of driving irresponsibly were heavily pushed on me in several instances throughout my life, and when I started to drive, I found myself understanding how important it was to not only focus on yourself but watch for other drivers that may put you or others in danger. More driving tests and courses should be pushed, especially with those controlling a heavyweight vehicle that could cause mass destruction with any slip-up. Learning young and having the importance of driver’s education and safety stressed on me certainly contributed to how I drive today and should be something mandated for every driver on the road.