Education and Awareness is the Key

2020 Driver Education Essay Contest

Applicant: Sydnee Marlow

Education and Awareness is the Key

First and foremost, the only way the number of deaths as a result of driving is ever going to decrease is for people of all ages to be educated. It is quite alarming that the number of fatalities related to driving outweighs soldiers that have perished in various wars. Driving is a privilege as well as a responsibility, one that when you really think about it, is a bit overwhelming. Do individuals really think about the impact they can have on others when they get behind the wheel? As a society, have we become too casual about driving and stopped applying the rules and letters of the law every time we get behind the wheel? Education and awareness are the key.

The invention of the call phone has greatly added to this issue and we must all act more responsibly. Laws being passed are aiding with this, but more needs to be done. First, when new drivers are learning how to drive, instructors and parents need to not only educate how to drive responsibly, but also stress the importance of keeping both hands on the wheel and being cell phone free. This goes as far as physically placing the phone somewhere in the car where it cannot be handled unless the driver is at a complete stop or requires the driver to pull over and get out of the vehicle to access it. This can also be accomplished when any driver goes to renew or apply for a license by having a mandated test or document that must be passed, read, or signed. In addition to this, this education could be implemented into schools in the Health classes that all junior high and high school students must be enrolled in for one semester of their school career. Another remedy would be to be educated in the weather, checking local weather updates and traveling in the most favorable conditions. There are many websites and apps available for this to be possible.

I have driven with friends and family members who have driven unattentively and distracted as well as been in some pretty, scary weather. Just last year, I was involved in an accident where my vehicle rolled over because I was distracted. Even though I was not using my cell phone, I did glance down to see who had just sent me a text on the next seat and did not notice a deer that had begun to enter the road. I did not have enough time to react and swerved causing my vehicle to roll a few times. Though I was blessed and able to walk away unscathed, it has changed my behavior and mindset when it comes to driving more responsibly. I have also tried to be an advocate when driving with family and friends to remind them of the importance of driving conscientiously.