Name: Helen Kim
From: Mililani, HI
Votes: 0
Helen
Kim
Driving
is Not a Video Game
My
first time driving behind the driver’s wheel, I thought, “This is
not at all like Mario Kart.” The driving wheel may look familiar,
but the awkward forward motion of the car, keeping awareness of other
people on the road, and the actual, potential danger that can happen
at any moment is what made me hesitant and careful. That’s because
with driving, we don’t have three lives, nor a pause and rewind
button, nor the pleasure to speed as much as we want without harm.
There’s big risks within driving that are very important to be aware
of, especially because we have only one life.
The
importance of drivers ed goes without saying. As the first step
in obtaining a driver’s license, drivers ed teaches driver
etiquette, road signs and what to do in certain situations. It also
teaches how to respond to other cars and passengers, be aware of our
surroundings and protect ourselves and others from accidents. By its
importance, some measures that drivers ed could implement for
safer driving are learning risks and safe driving techniques. By
learning about risks, drivers are more conscious about their actions
when driving in order to avoid accidents. Also, teaching safe driving
techniques behind the wheel would be helpful because driving is a
skill we build up over time with experience; it’s not a skill we
learn through textbook. Exposure to safe driving techniques can
encourage following safety measures. Few safety measures to learn
could be to go through a safety check and keep a good cushion
distance between you and the car in front.
Risk-taking
behavior during driving happens often, probably because we
progressively live in a world with our heads in our screens and
immerse ourselves in video games. Games especially about racing often
don’t teach risks of driving, and encourages risk taking for higher
speeds. As a result, people may carry over this behavior and not
think twice about their dangerous behavior. A helpful step to
implement can be for games to include a safety feature such as a
reminder at the beginning or end about driving cautiously in the real
world. It is important that we don’t underestimate the importance of
our full attention on the road.
I’ve
haven’t had the experience of being in a car accident nor have seen
irresponsible driving; but I’ve seen the result of distracted
driving when visiting my friend in the hospital. Seeing his injuries,
I can understand the cautiousness it takes to be behind the wheel;
that not only does the driver risks danger, but also the pedestrians
when crossing the street. Through this unforeseen experience, I hope
to be a role model for my safe driving. As a safe driver, I always
wear my seatbelt, follow the speed limit, and be aware of my
surroundings. To help others be safer on the road, I’ll help look
out with the driver while sitting beside them in the same car so that
there are more eyes wary of the road.
