Name: Vraja Guillen
From: New York, New York
Votes: 0
Vraja Guillen
DMV Drivers ed
Initiative Scholarship 2019: In the Driver’s Seat
Cars:
Tools of Transportation and Destruction
Driving from one
place to another is the easy part of getting somewhere. Because we’re
never alone on the road, a driver has to be aware of their
surroundings at all times. It is important to navigate safely,
keeping in mind not only other drivers but the cyclists, pedestrians,
rogue children, and clueless animals that may stray into our path.
The reason the process for obtaining a license is so long and tedious
is that a vehicle is capable of not only transportation, but
destruction as well.
This
may seem very obvious, especially to someone who recently got their
permit as I have. As a result, it’s ingrained into every new
driver’s mind. All my friends that have recently gotten their
licenses drive cautiously, more paranoid about avoiding an accident
than focused on where they are going. This lack of confidence behind
the wheel can be problematic, but it at least demonstrates a concern
with safety.
On
the other hand, I’ve witnessed older, more experienced, drivers
leaving parties a little tipsy and still getting in their cars
because they’ve driven like that several times with no
consequences. I truly believe that overconfidence leads to reckless
driving. At a certain point people will believe that an accident
could never happen to them; that they can press the brakes quickly
enough; that they can make it home even faster than last time; that
they can get a little closer to the car in front of them; that they
don’t need to stop.
There
need to be harsher consequences for reckless driving. People with a
track record should lose some privileges. At the end of the day,
people that prove themselves to be too irresponsible to drive
shouldn’t be able to. At some point, a small slap on the wrist
isn’t enough. There are lives at stake.
I
have never been in an accident, but reckless driving has impacted my
family in the worst way possible. About a month ago my step father
was killed by a reckless driver. His car broke down on the highway
and he pulled over to the side. Unfortunately, a driver that wanted
to beat traffic drove outside of the designated driving lane and hit
him.
This
was a solemn reminder that a freak accident can happen to anyone. It
may be an inconvenience, but rules are in place for the safety of
society. This event was gruesome, but will forever be in my mind when
I’m on the road. I will have my license soon, and with this loss I
will forever keep myself accountable on the road. Every stranger is
loved by someone and my actions have consequences. Those reminders
alone will keep my from being reckless. Awareness and education help
keep people in check.
