Driving responsibly

Driving Responsibly

On a rainy fall day, my babysitter was driving me and my brother from school and as she was turning left a young lady, texting while driving, blew the stop sign rearing the car I was in onto the sidewalk impeding into a tree. Me and my brother miraculously came unscathed as well for the young lady, but my babysitter suffered a broken arm. As a child innocent of the rules of the road I learned the impact of irresponsible driving and the value of attentiveness on the wheel. The poor young lady was remorseful and was stripped of her license until re-completing traffic school. I remember the uneasiness I felt that day which reminds me to always wear a seatbelt and be cautious on the wheel.

After completing the qualifications for my driving license, I find that many of the values I learned were not followed by everyday people. Driving school can be seen as luxury to many people and teens that do enter most likely have no prior knowledge about the subject. Thus the importance of this class is crucial for the foundations of good driving, and if it was made a class mandated by the state to pass highschool there would be a major decrease in road accidents. Important steps to take while driving is to never be intoxicated behind the wheel, to be free from distractions such as food or drink and cellphones, obey the local and speed laws, and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Distractions are the main reason for many everyday accidents.Common repercussions to take before driving is to adjust your mirrors and the seat for a comfortable driving experience, to set up music beforehand, and to make sure your car is running properly and is not of need of maintenance. Driving education is taught only once before obtaining your license so it is easy to forget basic elements of driver’s safety. A rudimentary form of driving education implemented during junior high years would reduce the fear of driving and show how driving is a privilege to be earned and rightfully used. All accidents are preventable with attentive and thoughtful driving.

Due to the ease of obtaining a license in America today, thousands of crashes occur daily resulting in numerous minor or fatal injuries. While driving, it is important to recognize that you drive for the safety of everyone on the road and not just yourself. Being an aware driver means sharing the road and respecting each car, this allows for mistakes to be made, but not mistakes turning into crashes. Responsible drivers slow their vehicles during rain or snow and turn on their lights at night and in the fog or rain. Driving under stressful situations is mistaken because emotional driving gives way to speeding and reckless driving. Efficient driving comes with practice and constant self evaluation of the rules of the road, practicing these values will improve your driving and the safety of others on the road.