In the Driver’s Seat

In the Driver’s Seat

Teenagers think they have a taste of freedom when they get to start driving, but what they don’t realize is it is a great responsibility.

Drivers education should be taken by new drivers today more than ever. With the advancements we have made in our technology, being well informed while in the driver’s seat is more crucial than ever. Students should be taking drivers education courses because our society is always advancing. We make new rules every day and a trained instructor stays up to date on new policies more than some parents are allowed to with their busy schedules. This means that students learn new laws and also learn tricks to be safe on the road. In my driver’s education class, I remember learning how to pull off and, on the road, safely and the importance of using your mirrors and windows to look for cars. Drivers education classes overall helps drivers be more efficient and keep themselves and others safe during their commute.

Motor accidents happen multiple times a day. Automobile companies are taking steps to insure the cars we drive are as safe as they can make them. Recently they have started putting in new safety features for young drivers such as the car will not switch out of park until the driver is buckled and their mobile device is on a platform on the dashboard. They also have Pre-Collision Braking System and lane-assist. Parents can also control the radio levels in the car with their phones. The car itself can only do so much to prevent an accident and you can’t rely on a car to stop you from hitting someone or something. One of the best words of advice I give to younger peers who have started driving is to always look twice. There have been many instances where the first time I look in a direction before turning nobody is there, but when I look the second time there is a car coming down the road. This has saved me and many other people from being in an accident.

Being in a car accident is a scary feeling. It happens in slow motion and it feels like a dream. You don’t know if that really just happened or if it was your subconscious tricking you. This is what it felt like to me and my friend when we were in a motor accident two years ago. My friend had just turned sixteen ten days prior to the accident. It was Halloween and we decided to go get something to eat. She was scared to drive in town because she had only ever driven to school before and I told her it would be okay and she would do great. As we were going through a stoplight, which was green, a silver SUV hit us on the passenger’s side, my side. We spun around in the intersection and then stopped facing the direction we were headed prior to the collision. We both looked at each other, not knowing if that was real or not. We pulled out of the intersection into a parking lot and so did the other vehicle. We both got out to inspect the car and see if everyone else was okay. A young woman got out of the other car followed by her husband and two young daughters. She came up to us and told us that it was her fault for the accident. We asked her what happened and she said she was distracted looking behind her at her kids. Our car was totaled and not able to drive anymore, while the other vehicle was barely a dent on it. This shows how irresponsible driving, whether purposeful or not, can cause life-threatening accidents. If fate would have had us going through that intersection half a second later, I would have been in the hospital.

In order to become a better and safer driver myself, I need to ensure I am a good example for others. I always take pride in being a good example for my peers because some kids don’t have older siblings to look up to like I do. One of the greatest things I have chosen to learn from, is the experiences of others. Using stories and advice from others I have been able to keep myself, and other motorists safe while on the road, but I will continue to strive to be a better driver and help others be better. I can look to make sure everyone has their seatbelt while others are in my car, put my phone away from me so I am not distracted by notifications, and be kind to other drivers on the road.

One of the worst feelings is being the cause of a vehicular accident. If we can get young drivers into proper education courses and to take extra precautions when on the road, we can reduce the number of deaths due to motor accidents.