Name: Kayla Howard
From: Greenwood, IN
Votes: 10
Learning
to drive is one of the most exciting, yet intimidating things that a
teenager experiences. Whether you learn from your parents or went to
a driving school it takes a lot of time and effort. During your time
as a student, you learn how to work your automobile as well as
techniques such as defensive driving. What exactly is defensive
driving? Defensive driving is learning to read a person’s motives
by observing their cars motions. Learning defensive driving is a good
way to prevent car accidents and the death rates dealing with
automobiles.
The
rate of accidents and deaths from automobiles have raised
astronomically since the rise of smartphones. Apple and Samsung have
made “Do Not Disturb” mode which certainly give drivers the
option to keep all distractions at bay, however, many don’t choose
to use this mode. So, what other steps can prevent the use of
cellphones while driving? Laws have already been made to make sure
drivers know that texting and driving is illegal. That makes it hard
to really put much more of a foot down on the subject, but education
is knowledge and knowledge is power.
Lets
begin moving drivers’ education in the same direction our young
people are moving. Smartphones are a huge part of young people’s
lives so what if we educate our youth about phone usage while
driving, educate them of the danger that comes with it, and discuss
the ripple effect car accidents can have. An article on Diply writes
about a doctor in Indianapolis, Dr.Profeta. He takes a unique but
powerful look on quite possibly the hardest part of his job, telling
a loved one that their family member has passed away after a car
accident. Before he launches into his reasoning he starts by saying
he is angry at the corpse that is lying on his table, he is angry
that this corpse had made a stupid mistake and now that stupid
mistake will cripple their loved ones. So, Dr.Profeta checks your
facebook before he talks to your loved ones. This helps him realize
the person you were before and to make you real to him in a moment
where you no longer feel real. I think telling driving students this
while they’re learning, telling them things that sound harsh but
that really make the gears turn, can encourage teenagers to look at
all perspectives.
I
am one of the other perspectives. One of my dear friends passed away
from a car accident in November of 2018. She was loved dearly and no
matter what she was thinking or doing at the point of the accident we
do not blame her for it. However, we know the pain, we know the
heart-wrenching call and the scream that comes out but you cannot
tell it is you because it all seems surreal. We know the motions you
go through and the images of her lying stiff burned into our minds
for the rest of our lives. We know the words that were spoken at the
funeral but we know the anger that built up when we wanted to yell
and say they are lying when they talk about her being the most
beautiful at the time of her death. The pain that your loved ones
feel is never worth anything on your phone.
Go
home to those who love you. Learn new driving skills. Stay observant
and think things through. If not for you then for those who love you.
