
Name: Derrick Hobbs
From: Houston , Texas
Votes: 0
Hobbs
3
In
the Driver’s Seat: Karen’s Story
The
2019 National Driving and Traffic School has given me the opportunity
to write about serious implications of being a driver. Each year many
people lose their lives to drivers who drink and drive. This year our
family lost a loved one named Karen Jackson on April 29, 2019 in the
early morning to a driver that did not need to be under the wheel. In
her honor, I am elated to participate in this scholarship to share
her legacy for those out there that think about drinking and driving
is respectful.
One
may ask, “What is the importance of drivers ed in reducing
the number deaths as a result of driving? Well, drivers ed
allows for the user of a motorized vehicle to be legalized behind the
wheel. Usually, the person is of age 16 or older and age 15 with a
learner’s permit and adult supervision when operating a motorized
vehicle.
Therefore,
in Karen’s honor, the importance of drivers ed in reducing
the numbers deaths as a result of driving means to me is to be able
to have both parties come home to loving families daily. If you have
been drinking, it is not wise to go try to operate a motorized
vehicle—regardless if you think you are under the legal drinking
limit. However, another person may propose a question like “What
steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to
driving?”
Well,
first and foremost drivers ed teaches us all that we should
never drink and drive. This is also a problem with taking the
D.A.R.E. (Drugs Abuse Resistance Education) program being taking out
our school systems. I believe that the number of fatalities per year
could be eliminated if D.A.R.E was re-instated back in our education
systems. As a result, Karen lost her life because of the fact that
this driver on that 4 A.M. morning did not stay home with his wife
and children –knowing that he had consumed alcohol right before
operating a motorized vehicle. Therefore, in Karen’s honor, the
steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to
driving is to
-
Take
a designated driver with you, if you must drink, and allow the
designated driver to drive you to your destination safely. -
Don’t
drink and drive altogether. -
Time
management – maybe having a drink after all of your daily errands
or work has been done in order to save someone’s life and your
own.
Even
more so, another question that may be proposed to me is that “Have
you ever had an experience of being in car accident or have seen your
friends or family members driving irresponsibly?” Consequently, I
have never been in a car accident, however, I have witnessed friends
and family drive irresponsibly and laugh about their reckless
driving. Because of the need to put my safety and their safety in
jeopardy, I no longer take rides with that particular family and
friends. Driving fatalities is not something that I take too kind
with joking about because it could happen to me or you. It happened
to Karen –whom lost her life along with destroying the lives of my
entire family as well her immediate family such as daughters Jalexia
and Allexia, along with husband Stanley.
Therefore,
in closing, one may ask me “What steps can you take to be a better
and safer driver as well as help others become safer on the road?
Well, first and foremost, I would never drink and drive regardless of
the atmosphere around me. However, if there were steps that I could
take to be a better and safer driver, it would be the following:
-
Be
sober before operating a motorized vehicle. -
Drive
at the speed limit allowed without being under the influence of
alcohol or drugs. -
Get
plenty of rest before thinking about driving to any location and
back. -
Have
a plan B (designated driver for long trips) for long driving
distances. -
Most
importantly, research on line how long it will take approximately to
get to the location to and back.
As
a result, Karen would still be here today to witness her daughter’s
prom and graduation. Because the driver chose not to obey the law
with his behavior behind the wheel, he has since been charged with
Driving under the Influence. However, this will not bring Karen back
to us, but I hope my essay can inspire someone to not drink and drive
to safe not only their life, but the life that they may become
responsible for as a result of driving under the influence of drugs
or alcohol.