Driving: Your path to adventure

Driving: Your Path to Adventure!

By: Leona Lombardi

Driving has always been an adventure for me. Getting in the car means going somewhere new- Disneyland, a hike in the mountains, or even school. You can imagine my excitement at getting my license. I could finally drive to all the exciting places on my own and not be at the mercy of my busy parents. As I excitedly took the wheel for the first time I realized that it was going to be harder than it looked. So many rules to remember! So many other people on the road! So many distractions to avoid! If I hadn’t had the training of a drivers’ education class and the practice drives that went with it, the driving-related deaths in Utah might’ve doubled! Instead, I paid careful attention to my lessons. I learned to check every time I changed lanes. I learned that the pedestrian always had the right away. I learned how to merge onto busy highways and freeways. Now let me tell you, it was not easy. But after practice, practice, practice it started to click for me. What had once been a daunting task now turned into something that was natural to me. 

Driving can, and should be, recognized for the risk that it is. But that doesn’t mean people should avoid it like the plague! Rather, people should have an awareness of the danger it possesses and educate themselves to combat this. If everyone knew, and followed, the laws of the road, deaths, injuries, and simple inconveniences could be avoided. This education involves in-classroom and hands-on training. First, students of the wheel need to learn the rules of driving. Drivers’ education holds the key to a foundational knowledge about driving that every driver needs. Only after they are well-versed in the language of the roads can they take the wheel themselves. This part of drivers’ education provides teens with a real-world application of the knowledge they have already learned. But don’t worry- they aren’t just let loose on the road. Thankfully, these driving practices present them with an opportunity to drive with a trained adult. Only after they pass these drives, and a final test, can they drive alone. You might think it’s complicated, boring, or unnecessary but it’s this training that can significantly reduce the number of driving-related deaths. It might even save your life sometime! 

In case you don’t believe me yet, I have been in the car with scary drivers! Let me tell you, it is not fun to put your lives in the hands of someone who disregards life-saving rules and regulations. I’ve had friends who run yellow lights, ignore stop signs, or don’t yield to pedestrians. As a teenager myself, I understand the desire to be fun and rebellious, but is it really worth someone’s life? I think not. That’s why it’s important to follow just a few simple steps in order to make our roads a safer place. First, educate yourself. Learn the rules of the road and how you can be aware of other drivers at all times. Second, practice! Being on the road, first with trusted adults, then on small roads, and finally on highways and freeways will shape you into a responsible driver. After all, practice makes perfect! Lastly, share the word! Let others know how they can be a better driver. Remind them that they wouldn’t want to be on the wrong side of an accident, so they should work to become safe drivers. 

The roads can be a scary place but with a collective effort, we can transform them back into an exciting, yet safe, path to adventure!