What steps can you take to be a better and safer driver as well as help others become safer on the road?

Julianna Coleman

111 Mackey Dr.

Apt. 20

Barnesville, Ohio 43713

(740)619-0219

julieventry@gmail.com

Colorado Technical University

Bachelor of Science Criminal Justice

What steps can you take to be a better and safer driver as well as help others become safer on the road?

I was a horrible, dangerous driver all of my twenties. I put myself and those I shared the road with, in danger. I rode motorcycles dangerous as well as drove my car recklessly. I did not care. I was selfish. It took my employment to change my driving.

During this time, I was working for a tow truck company. We were a pretty large company. I began riding in the trucks. We had contracts with two local police departments. Our drivers were responsible for going to accident scene to pick up the vehicles.

I began to see horrible accidents caused by reckless driving. I saw people who were deceased still in their vehicles because other people were driving distracted. I still have nightmares because of the things I saw. There are somethings you can never unsee.

Due to the things I have seen, I decided I had to change how I was driving. I realized that I was being selfish and not just put myself in danger but put innocent people in danger as well. I wasn’t being fair to those who were forced to share the road with someone like me.

The first thing I did was to completely stop riding motorcycles. The way I was driving was going to get me or someone else killed. I was a thrill rider. I then began utilizing my cruise control. Whtever the speed limit was I did it. Since I was bad about doing it on my own, that’s where the cruise control came in. I then got a device from my insurance company. I was able to get alerts to my phone which drastically changed my driving.

The device I received alerted me to the speed I drove. It alerted me to how much I idled, so I became conscience of my idling and cut it down. I stopped driving at night. I stopped driving in the rain. I do not drive in snow and ice. I only drive during the day when it is weather conductive to safe driving. I avoid the highway if I can.

I never use my phone when I drive. I only use my GPS if I must and only glance at it briefly. I always use my blinker and I turn it on well before my turn. I do not brake suddenly. I am a defensive driver, so I am always aware of my surroundings. I maintain the maintenance of my vehicle. My radio is set so that when I put the car in reverse the volume drops. I keep the radio on low as is.

I will also be enrolling all three of my children in the local driving school. I feel that is is to their best advantage to be safe drivers.