Behind The Wheel

Olivia Laspata

2020 Drivers Education Essay Contest

Behind The Wheel

The exhilarating rush of adrenaline of a newly licensed teen getting behind the wheel for the first time is unmatched. Teenagers look forward to this day for years and once they finally are welcomed into the everyday privilege of driving, some fail to realize how easy it is to abuse that privilege. I put it this way because driving is not a right. No one is entitled to drive; it is something that you earn. This is why so many precautions take place in order to ensure that with each new driver, the road still remains as safe as possible. Driver’s education is a crucial first step in becoming an aware and educated driver. Students are exposed to the dos and don’ts of the road in hopes that they implement the curriculum into each and every one of their driving experiences moving forward. The more people that go through the program means the more educated drivers on the road and the more educated drivers on the road, the lower the risk of accidents occurring.

Of course driver’s education is a great first step towards preventing future accidents from happening, but just because you pass the test and receive a license does not mean you are ready for the real challenges of the road. Other necessary precautions such as making sure you aren’t under any sort of influence, driving an appropriate and comfortable car that suits you as a driver, and managing all possible distractions needs to be considered as well. Taking these extra steps will help decrease the likelihood of an accident happening even more. If each individual were to take these into consideration, the driving experience will be much safer for all drivers, not just yourself.

I unfortunately have been in a car accident while I was behind the wheel. I was driving on the highway with my friend who was being somewhat distracted and I almost missed our exit. I merged over into the right lane failing to realize that there was another car in my blind spot. I thought I was clear, but I wasn’t. I knew I made the wrong decision as soon as I got over. I felt him clip the back of the car and the vehicle spun out. We were really lucky the way the situation played out because no one was injured and every day I am thankful for that. I think about the accident a lot and I so badly regret what happened. In the moment of the accident it was almost as if I forgot I wasn’t the only one on the road. For that, I will always have regrets. I had always thought of myself as a good driver, but after that I had to work my confidence back up again. Now when I drive, I always make sure to check my surroundings before merging and try to drive defensively. This experience showed me that I always need to stay focused when driving and always remember to check your blind spot.