Name: Leah Claire Mancuso
From: Solon, Ohio
Votes: 0
“The War of the
Wheel”
You just turned 16 a
few days ago, and now you are receiving your license. How exciting!
Right? Of course it is, because not only can you drive without an
adult, it represents your freedom. Clearly you’ve passed all the the
driving classes and have had hours upon hours of practice behind the
wheel, you’re basically a pro! Well unfortunately no matter how good
you are or how experienced you are, every time you get into the
driver’s seat, it’s an uncontrollable battle, and the roads, the
battlefield.
Sadly enough, lots
of people think that completing their drivers ed automatically makes
them smart, safe drivers. However, simple things like forgetting to
slow down or to change lanes can have drastic consequences. This is
why everyone needs to carefully read through all the material. Just
barely passing the final test still means that there is stuff you
don’t know and absolutely should if you want to avoid car accidents.
This goes hand in hand with reducing the number of driving related
deaths because any car crash, big or small, can end someone’s life.
Including your own. In addition to learning all the proper material
there is still one accident inducing concept that needs to be taken
care of. I’m referring to technology. Specifically, but not limited
to, cell phones. Drivers can’t resist the urge to reply to a message
or to call someone back. A good rule of thumb is, is it more
important than your life? The meaning of this is to always know that
picking up that phone could mean putting yourself and others at risk.
So ask yourself, “is this worth it”?
Finally, I have
never been in the car while an accident has happened and I feel so
fortunate every day for that. I am always alert while driving and
never let myself get distracted. Even when I’m not in the driver’s
seat, I always think if it is safe and will always stay away from
getting in if I think there’s something wrong. Steps that I can take
to be safer, as well as other drivers, are simple things that can
save lives. For example, never get in the car if the driver has had
any alcohol and always call out the driver for getting distracted by
something like their phone. It may not seem like it, but a car is a
weapon and driving it has to be taken very seriously. For now on,
whenever you get into a car, keep your wits about you and never do
anything to put lives at risk. That is how you lose the war.
