Look Out!

I was lucky when
I was able to attend a Drivers ed class in my school.
Before I entered, I already thought I knew a good amount on driving
and safety, but I was wrong. There is so much more than just stopping
at traffic lights and parking. Drivers ed helped me realize
that we as drivers must pay more attention to our surroundings than
just what is in front of us. It taught me how to be cautious when
turning corners and switching lanes and making sure to always check
our blind spots and who is crossing the crosswalks. Keeping these
criteria’s in mind, I am very cautious on the road and making sure
every move I make is timed and watched carefully. Driver’s
Education is sure to lessen the deaths of driving accidents.

Steps that can
be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving:

1. Always
   check your blind spots

2. Watch for
   pedestrians

3. Don’t go
   above the speed limit

4. Use your
   turn signals

5. Stop at
   every stop sign and traffic lights

6. Stay sober

7. No
   distractions (eating, texting, calling, etc.)

8. Know who has the right of way

I am fortunate to have never been in an accident, but I have
peers who have gone through this. Knowing that throughout the whole
year of school that you saw your peer every day and talked everyday
and then not knowing that you could never see them again the next day
is overwhelming and heart breaking. These are high school students
who will never have the chance to have a family, live their lives,
and grow old. Their lives were cut short and it was not even their
fault. A distracted driver was the one who caused the end to two
classmates of mine. It doesn’t just affect the person’s life who
was taken, but everyone who know them such as family, friends, and
even the distracted driver. Ever since that incident, I have been
super careful while on the road, keeping my eyes on everything around
me.

A way to try to help better myself and others to become safer
drivers is always mainly to just keep your eyes open and on the road.
Watch or listen to PSAs on how dangerous distracted driving is and
how to be careful on the roads. Listen to a few incidents and
hopefully realize that no body wants to be in that position where
they are either in a wheelchair for the rest of their lives, have a
brain injury and cant function properly no more, or are in the
ground.