Check Your Mirrors Before You Start Your Engine

Check Your Mirrors Before You
Start Your Engine

Provided
by the Association for Safe International road Travel, over 38,000
people die every year in crashes on U.S. roadways, as well as an
additional 4.4 million are injured seriously enough to require
medical attention. As these numbers increase each year, it is
important for not only new drivers to understand their impact on the
road, but as well as everyone else can have an effect. Many people
believe that since they’ve been driving for years without any
accident, they have nothing to worry about and that they are “pro”
drivers, as this is not the case. Accidents can happen anywhere,
anytime, to anybody and it is important for people to be aware of
their surroundings, especially while driving.

In
2016, my High school provided a mandatory driving ed class, which I
remember profoundly. The reason I remember this class specifically
was because of what I saw during the videos. I remember being dealing
with so many emotions as I was watching the video my professor was
showing us. So upset and bothered by these videos, they have still
remained with me as I watched people take the lives of innocent
people just because they had to send out a simple text. One video I
remember particularly was a family driving home after a daughters
graduation and getting hit by a drunk driver, causing several members
of her family to pass, it was horrible. I believe that before
obtaining a driver’s license, people should really understand the
importance of what it means to be behind the driving wheel.

By
taking this course, as well as my family constantly telling me how
important driving was, I was able to take matters into my own hands
and do everything possible to prevent danger on the road. I never
text and drive, always wearing my seatbelt even if I go around the
block, and making sure I use my turning signals. Not only do I make
sure that I feel safe before I start driving, but as well as those
who are in the car with me, making sure everyone has their seatbelt
on.

Steps
that can be taken to reduce the number of accidents per year is to
take basic and simple steps. Making sure to always check your
surroundings if switching a land, especially when on the highway, as
many motorcyclists are around and cars tend to have blind spots. Not
going on your phone during your car ride because eleven looking at
your phone for one second can cause an accident if something happens
in front of you. Having both hands on the steering wheel is also a
benefactor, as you’re more in control if your car slides or someone
hits you. Another idea that can be taken to help prevent accidents is
to take different forms of transportation, such as a bus, or even a
bike if the distance is doable.

Personally,
I have never been in a serious accident, only what many people call a
bender fender. My car is stuck shift and I was pulling up to a red
light and I moved the wrong gear and my car rolled and hit the car in
front of me. Thankfully there was no damage as both of our cars were
pretty much stopped and it only lightly tapped the car in front of
me. Although it was nothing, it was still something scary for me and
something that made me realize I need to pay better attention as to
what gears I am shifting when I am driving. My dad on the other hand,
has been in a very traumatic accident that didn’t just affect him,
but my whole family. My dad who used to own a motorcycle was riding
on the street and a car didn’t see him, running him over. My dad
didn’t deal with a serious injury, although he still got hurt. It was
an unforgettable moment for my whole family, as we were all
concerned. Thi has taught me to always check for motorcycles on the
road and make sure I know what going on around me