The Courage to Care

The Courage to Care

2020 Drivers ed Essay Contest

Esther Michael

Taylor University

It takes courage to care and to take action against harmful behavior. Driving is a freeing privilege, but certainly not one to be taken lightly. One careless decision can cause expensive damage or even end a life. Education is the first step in reducing accidental deaths, and further safety is achieved through conscious action to prevent incidents. The courage to care about how one’s action or inaction affects others is foundational.

Drivers ed is critical in helping drivers be more responsible on the road. It is imperative to not only understand the laws and etiquette of the road, but also the consequences of improper action or carelessness. New drivers should have thorough knowledge of their local traffic laws and testing should strictly ensure that this is accomplished. As time passes, drivers should always watch for new or changed laws as well as the consequences of infractions or negligence to obey. As long as a driver holds a license, they have the responsibility to stay educated about their privilege and utilize it safely.

Reducing accidental death as a result of vehicle collision starts with individual driver decisions. Distractions like eating and drinking, listening to loud music, the presence of a cell phone, or passenger behavior can all affect driver performance and should be consciously monitored. Weather can also affect driving, so being aware of road conditions and personal comfort in all kinds of weather adds to safe driving. Local and state governments should also carefully monitor common road and driver behavior hazards, and take action or create legislation to correct these issues.

I have personally never been involved in a car accident, but have had close family members injured and killed in vehicle collisions. I have also been a passenger in vehicles when the driver was not being as careful or responsible as they should have been by using a cell phone, being distracted by the radio, or speeding. I am more nervous in these situations because my safety is significantly less in my own control. When I am driving, I hold that power over other people’s lives as well as my own, so my commitment to being a safe driver is even more crucial.

As a driver myself, I can and have taken steps to ensure I am a safe driver. I take extra time at stop signs and traffic signals to be sure I am aware of other vehicles before I proceed. I use hands-free features to control music and navigation on my phone. I also make sure that my music or radio is not too loud, so I can still concentrate and hear noises around me. I can also advocate for safe driving and as a passenger, take responsibility for music, navigation, etc. so that the driver can focus on the vehicle. These steps minimize the risk of driving and keep everyone safe. I commit to having the courage to care.