Name: Isabella Pulido
From: Escondido , California
Votes: 0
“It
only takes one second” one second to look at a text, one second to
buckle a seatbelt, one second to reach for a snack, one second to
drift out of your lane, and one second to get into an accident and
completely change your life if you are lucky enough to survive. The
fact that there is only a mere second between life and death while
driving is something that makes this common activity unlike any
other. When I first got my license I was terrified to drive, not
because I felt as though I was a bad driver, but because I had seen
the way that people carelessly act behind the wheel. By the time I
had made my first solo trip around the neighborhood had witnessed a
handful of people looking at their phones and nearly missing
accidents. That was all it took for me to understand the true meaning
of “driving defensively”.
I
made it my goal to be the safest driver on the road and watch for
those that are less careful so that I have time to react if something
bad were to happen. I understand the importance that one second can
have on a life. I always buckle my seatbelt and make sure that my
phone is out of sight and on silent so that it is not a distraction.
I am also used to driving during the early hours of the morning when
speed limits seem to be “suggestions” for most drivers. I make
sure to follow the speed limits and move into the slower lane because
I understand that they are there to keep everyone safe and it it
easier to loose control while traveling at high speeds. Additionally,
I am usually the designated driver when I am with my friends because
I have had my license the longest. This is a big responsibility
because I don’t just have my own life in my hands, I also have the
lives of all my friends and I wouldn’t want to do anything that
would risk their safety.
How
cool is it that you don’t
always have to be a doctor to save lives? By practicing save driving
you can save lives and spare families unnecessary heartache. Safe
driving is important to me because being aware of the road and
following the rules is one of the easiest ways to prevent accidents
which means that it is an easy way to save lives. Teaching people to
be aware of the impact that they can have by practicing safe driving
is critical to improving the safety of our roads. Since knowledge is
ultimately power, it is important to educate others on the major
impact that taking that extra second can have on a life. The seemly
small action can make a world of a difference in their community and
in the lives of their loved ones.
