Name: Ashley Fidler
From: Norman , Oklahoma
Votes: 0
In
The Driver’s Seat: Driving Safe
One
of my professors once said, “With privileges comes great
responsibility.” I think this quote perfectly describes driving.
The ability to drive is a milestone that almost every teenager looks
forward to. However, being able to drive is a privilege and comes
with the responsibility of taking being a safe driver to protect
yourself and others on the road.
Driver’s
Education classes are required to get a driver’s license. I think
it is a great way to start promoting safe driving at a young age. A
lot of people tend to think that Drivers ed classes are
strictly to teach those in the class how to drive. Although the
classes and driving with an instructor teach the learners how to
drive, the classes also teach the students: road signs and their
meanings, the importance of not drinking and driving, and the dangers
of distracted driving (not only texting, but also eating, talking,
and not being in the correct headspace). I believe because of these
teachings, the number of deaths while driving is reduced.
Driver’s
education is great but I believe more can be done to reduce the
number of deaths caused by driving. For example, I believe that not
wearing seatbelts while in the car has heavily contributed to car
related deaths. A lot of times, people at an older age think they are
invincible and do not need to wear a seatbelt while in the backseat;
they are wrong. Therefore, I think there should be random checkpoints
throughout towns, cities, and states strictly to check that everyone
has their seatbelt on. Typically the only way someone can get a
ticket for not having on a seatbelt is if a police officer has
already pulled them over for something else and then notices the
absence of a seatbelt. With random checkpoints, people will be more
inclined to always buckle up.
I
was in a car accident as a child and to this day, I remember it all
so vividly. It was a rainy day and my mom was driving. She was going
the speed limit and doing everything right but the roads were slick.
We spun off the road and into a metal fence quickly. If she and I did
not have on our seatbelts, the ending could have been different and
we could have been severely injured.
I
can be a safer driver by not having my music play at such a loud
volume because although it has not distracted me yet, there is a day
where it could. Also with loud music there is a chance that I would
not be able to hear a car honk at me which is also a danger. I can
help my friends be better drivers by telling them to give their phone
to someone else while driving so they will not be tempted to use it
while driving.
Driving
is an excellent privilege but it comes with immense responsibility to
ensure that everyone stays safe.
