Get Smart, Plan Smart, Drive Smart

Title: Get Smart, Plan Smart, Drive Smart

By: Ryleigh Rappold

Essay:

Growing up in a small town, you learn the importance of having a driver’s license at a young age. For me, I asked for a license starting around age 10 knowing full and well I was no exception to the rule but hopeful despite knowing better. Where I grew up, you had to take a semester long drivers ed course in high school after you got your permit and had to pass before you were able to take the test at the DMV to get your license. Drivers ed goes over many topics including but not limited to the risks of driving under the influence, general control of the car, and the potential effects of hesitation. Unfortunately for me, I moved out of my small town just before I got my license and had to start all over in Florida, a state where drivers ed is not required and you will likely take the “road-test” in an empty parking lot. This alone made my parents and I more nervous about me driving down here not only for the reason of me not taking drivers ed but also, others on the road not taking drivers ed. Without taking drivers ed you are more likely to make decisions that could cause crashes.

Among the kids, passing the tests and class that go along with getting your license was very important. Many kids weren’t able to work or go see friends often if it involved their parent’s driving them as they also had responsibilities like work that came before a $10 an hour job or movie date with friends. When you got your license, it was a huge deal. You could drive yourself to your friends’ houses, work, school, and essentially anywhere you need to go. Pressure from your peers only continues once you have your license no matter where you are or what you are doing. A friend of mine unfortunately made a bad decision to drive him and a couple other friends while he was under the influence. The passengers in the truck were encouraging him not only to drive but to also drive recklessly and in complying, he totaled hid truck. Luckily no one was injured but he was in a lot of trouble and had to buy a new truck at this point.

Becoming a safe driver doesn’t happen overnight, it is a process of being on the road and encountering situations that you have to safely navigate that you may not have seen before. One rule of thumb that I always use is if it is safe to do so, slow down to take in what is going on in the situation and use your best judgement to navigate out of it, by slowing down, your reaction time increases allowing you to make a good choice and continue to hold control over the vehicle. It is never okay to drive under the influence or get in a car with a driver who is under the influence, if you think you think that maybe going on, call someone or stay. There is no shame in picking your safety and others safety over potentially getting in an accident. If someone is pressuring you to drive under the influence or ride with a driver who is under the influence, remember that your life and the lives of those who are riding are more important than making curfew, sleeping in your own bed, or whatever it may be. Another way to become safer on the road is to spend a lot of time observing a good driver and driving with them in your car allowing them to give constructive criticism. Even if you already have your license, you can never practice enough. Lastly, always have a plan. If you are planning to go to a party, plan a ride and stick to the plan or call someone. Plan for traffic, plan for breaks if you are driving long distance, plan for the unexpected and you will always be prepared.

Remember that having a license is a privilege not a right and if you can’t handle making the right decisions, it will get taken away at one point and you don’t want that to be from the authorities. Educate yourself on driving practices, the roads you’re driving on and the situations you may encounter. Planning can only put you in a better place than you started at originally. Drive smart and remember that nothing is as important as your safety.