Name: Sydney Harris
From: Buford, Georgia
Votes: 0
Driver’s
education courses, both online prep classes, and physical courses
with an instructor can make for much more prepared drivers. Online
courses for a learner’s permit and practice exams will introduce
new drivers to the information necessary to make smart choices while
driving, such as legal codes, procedures, safety regulations, and
regulations. Knowing how to drive is much more than how to press the
gas pedal and steer, and drivers ed courses are designed to
show (usually adolescents) how to make safe, sound decisions when
operating a vehicle. By enrolling teenagers in drivers ed
courses, we can provide a safer environment for everyone.
In
the state of Georgia, passing the ADAP course is required for minors
prior to receiving their license. This requirement can make students
more aware of the impact of alcohol and other drugs, especially in
the context of operating vehicles, so that they can understand the
physical and legal consequences of being under the influence. When
this is coupled with drivers ed courses, this creates for more
prepared and better practiced driver’s , who can be held
responsible for their behavior while driving.
While
it is difficult to manage all behavior of those who drive, putting
“hands off” policies into effect can help to reduce accidents and
fatalities on the road. By making it illegal to have a phone in your
hand in Georgia while driving, we can possibly avoid more
distraction-caused accidents. In addition to not paying attention
while driving, by multi-tasking, or engaging with raucous passengers
for example, driving while under the influence is still an issue. It
can simply result in a ticket, fine, and court date for some. But for
others, it can result in loss of life. By teaching how severely drunk
or intoxicated driving can harm people; as it can cause financial
loss, injury, loss of property, and/or death, hopefully we can
prevent intoxicated driving on the road
For
some, taking drivers ed courses may be enough of a preventative
measure against driving while intoxicated. However, in the case of my
uncle and his child’s mother, an intoxicated driver who had smoked
marijuana was their demise. They were not wearing seatbelts, and my
uncle flew through the front window of the car, as an intoxicated
driver, who would face probation as his only recompense, rear-ended
them.The intoxicated driver took away a father and mother, from their
parents, children, and everyone who came to love and depend on them.
While the driver was the cause of the accident, my uncle was not
wearing his seat-belt. This, maybe, could’ve saved his life.
My
significant other works long hours some days, and does not always
sleep enough. This has already caused issues for him. In November, he
was on his way home, after a night of only 4 hours of sleep, and he
fell asleep at the wheel. He collided with the car in front of him,
totaled his own vehicle, and had to go to court to resolve with the
driver he collided with. He had to pay several hundred dollars, and
work from scratch to get another car, after having quit his last job
2 months prior. Although he was uninjured, not having a car until May
made his life difficult, and set him several steps behind moving out
of his mother’s home to his own apartment. Those few months of
being without a car made him mildly depressed, as he couldn’t go
where he wanted, or work easily.
When
I ride with others, I always remind them to wear their seatbelt, and
take care not to distract them. I try to be aware if I’m in the
front passenger seat, so that even if my driver has the right of way
or is driving responsibly, we can avoid collisions with other
driver’s who aren’t being as careful.
Having a phone dock to respond to calls on bluetooth or speaker is a
better way to remain connected to your phone if your day is busy, you
have several engagements, or just need to see your mobile directions.
Driving if you’re too tired, or what you think is “just a little”
drunk or high is never a good idea. You can always keep your phone on
“Do Not Disturb” while driving. These simple ideas can be the
difference between having your car until you want to buy another one,
or being forced to sell if for parts after totaling it. By being
aware, alert, and responsible with you car, you can keep yourself and
others safe. You can keep guilt off of your shoulders as you avoid
deadly accidents, and keep all of your money out of court
arrangements, hospital bills, and other heavy expenses. Even if you
don’t value your own life above crashing your car, those around you
may. And nobody wants to be accountable for the death of others,
because a snapchat video was just too interesting, or the weed didn’t
seem that strong.
