Knowing the Rules of The Road

Driver’s education is important because it teaches teens to be responsible drivers. Not only that, but you get hands on experience with experts who know the rules of the road well. Learning these rules helps reduce crashes among teenage drivers. In fact car accidents are the leading cause of death for teens. As a result, promoting and spreading awareness of the importance of driver’s safety is vital. As most teenagers I was thrilled to drive when I got my license. However, I still had to drive with my parents, because I didn’t receive a car until a couple of months later. Even though I was confident with the lessons I received from my driving school, I was thankful for more advice from my parents before driving on my own. They taught me to drive defensively, because there are others who don’t always follow the rules of the road.

My parents said, “It is better to lose a second in your life, than to lose your life in a second.” I did not understand this quote until September 2020. My dad’s best friend who I consider a second father was visiting his sister in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. One night he was driving back from dinner with his family when a drunk driver hit him on the highway. The driver flipped his car into the oncoming traffic on the other side of the highway. He is lucky to be alive and is slowly recovering. However he will never be the same guy who taught me how to play golf and motivated me. Imagine how his future could have changed in a matter of seconds if the drunk driver was more responsible. I can’t change the past but I can help improve the future for others.

After this incident I was afraid to drive for a while. Knowing that anything can happen in an instant, I became more alert when driving. Checking my phone before I drive or putting my phone on Apple’s car mode are just a few of the things I have implemented in my life. Knowing that I attended a good driver’s school helped relieve some of my anxiety when driving. My driving school taught me useful and important tips for being a safe driver. Before driving make sure everyone in the car has their seatbelts on. In addition to that make sure that the seatbelt is over the chest, because some children tend to wear the seat belt incorrectly. This automatically reduces their chances of death by 45%. NEVER text and talk on the phone while driving. Check your surroundings frequently. Drive slow in bad weather conditions. Always drive the speed limit no matter how fast you need to be somewhere. Always look over your shoulder when crossing lanes. When first driving, limit the number of people in your car to reduce distractions. Pay attention to signs. Never drive or let anyone drive under the influence. Whenever you see someone else driving carelessly, help them become safer. Like maybe suggest sending a text message for them or making a call for them. These seem like little tips, but they can change someone’s life significantly.