
Name: Caden Robert Craig
From: O'Fallon, IL
Votes: 0
My Driving Experience
Caden R. Craig
My Driving Experience
What is the importance of drivers ed in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving?
If drivers were properly educated, then many less people yearly would become injured or perish in car accidents. Driving in the town I live in (O’Fallon, Illinois) can be very scary because many people do not know basic road rules. A common sight to see here is people ignoring the right of way at four-way stops. I have even seen people drive left around traffic circles! By knowing simple laws of the road, many people can be saved from car accidents.
What steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving?
I believe a good idea would be to implement an annual driving examination. By having drivers take this test, we would be able to expose dangerous drivers. Additionally, this exam would push license-holders to keep their driving skills polished year-round, consequently improving the driving environment and road safety.
Have you ever had an experience of being in a car accident?
Personally, I have not been in a car accident. On the flip side, I have seen my good friend Nick in an accident. About a year ago, Nick was driving from lunch to our school to get to our Marching Band competition. As he entered a traffic light 4-way, he started to make a left turn right when the left-turn light become green. Without looking for impending danger, he started to make his turn when suddenly, a speeding car whizzed through the intersection and T-boned his car. Luckily, Nick made it out with only minor bruising, but his car was totaled. What’s more, his insurance cost went up dramatically, for something that wasn’t his fault. But there was a way to prevent the crash. If Nick had been a defensive driver by pausing for a second to check his surroundings, he would have seen the speeding vehicle. Nowadays, I have ridden with Nick to and from school and band practices, and he learned his mistake. He has become a great defensive driver, always checking each possible danger before advancing.
Have you ever seen your friends or family driving irresponsibly?
Yes, unfortunately I have. My aunt is an abhorrently bad driver; Ever since I rode with her, I have pledged to never enter her car again. Most notably, she drives by sticking her arms through the holes in her steering wheel and controls her car that way. Not only does she not have any great precision control over her car, but if she crashed then she would most likely break her arms. Her way of driving is ridiculous; I am extremely surprised that she has never been in an accident.
What steps can you take to be a better and safer driver, as well as help others become safer on the road?
Personally, I am easily distracted by phone alerts. A good step I and other like me can take is to shut off our phones to drive.