Life is a Highway

Without drivers education, the rules of the road would be long forgotten and chaos would presume over the roads. Drivers education is one of the most important things a young person can learn before actually learning how to drive. Without it, there would be more accidents every single day. Even the most simple things, such as who goes first a stop sign when stopped at the same time would cause massive wrecks. As important as it is for young drivers to know the rules of the road, it is equally important for experienced drivers to constantly refresh with the rules. Many times, experienced drivers will find it easy to speed in certain areas under the impression that there are no police cars watching. However, even if that is so, this may come at the cost of other drivers safety. Never should a person’s life be put in danger because of a careless driver who thinks it’s okay to break the law.

Some important steps to take while on the road to ensure safety, is to turn off the distractions. Or at least put them on silent. If there is a passenger in the car, have them answer text messages, be the DJ, or simply make sure the driver is only focusing on the road. Nothing on the phone is more important than a person’s life. Many cell phones even come with an option to send a message back stating that the person with the phone is driving and they will get back to them once they are off the road. Without distractions, the driver can solely focus on what lies in front of them. They will be able to make split second decisions if needed that can save a life. Many times when my dad or older brother is driving, I will turn to them and ask if I can text someone back or change the music instead of them, so they can keep their eyes on the road. While it is difficult for them to admit they might be in the wrong, it is safer for me to slightly embarrass them over getting into a car accident.

When driving down the road, it is easy to see when another car is speeding, especially if you are going the speed limit. Many times, others will get road rage because you are driving “too slow.” However, following the law does not mean you are driving “too slow.” While it is someone’s choice to speed, it is never the right one, even if they are running late. It is their responsibility to be on time to events, so that means waking up and getting ready on time, not speeding to get there. One of my friend’s close friends unfortunately passed away from speed racing. He was going over 100 miles an hour and something happened to make his car flip multiple times, resulting in fatal injuries. When going extremely fast like that, one cannot focus on everything around them. A simple bump in the road could lead to fatal injuries, such as what happened to the young man speed racing. Going 100 miles an hour for a quick race is not worth the rest of your life.

Experienced drivers may not realize the impact they have on the road. With young people watching them, they are setting an example of what is allowed when driving. If a young 16-year-old is watching their parents text and drive, they might think that it is okay for them to text and drive as well. Knowing the rules of the road will help prevent more loss of life. There is never a valid reason to text and drive, no matter the circumstance, even if there are no cars around. It is a danger to the passengers, drivers, and fellow drivers. Putting away distractions and following the rules of the road will encourage those around you to do the same. By setting an example, you can keep your life on the highway.