“In The Driver’s Seat”

I was excited to get a driver’s license for many reasons just like every other teenager; however, I am the second youngest in my school class so I watched all my friends get their driver’s license as I patiently waited. Then it was my time and I knew I had several options to earn my license but after researching, my parents and I decided to take drivers education at a local driving school. The driver’s school offered an online course where you use your computer, phone or tablet to complete the classroom portion and then six drives with the professional. The online course and drives allowed me to complete the in-class portion of driver education from the convenience of my home to accommodate my work and sport schedule. The classroom instruction was a complete full 30 hours of class where only 3 hours a day were allowed to be completed, but beyond that I was able to move at my own speed.  The classroom instruction was very informative and really made me see how serious driving was and put safety at the very top of my driving list. Safety being placed at the very top of the list is a huge benefit of reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving.

There are many steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. As a new driver it is important to look into options for your first car with consideration for safety. I watched which cars my friends were looking into buying and did a lot of research myself. I looked into options for cars dated from the early 2000’s up until current year and what different vehicles offered. My research was helpful for me to learn more about engines, mileage, transmission, fuel and so much more. Equal to the cars make, model and facts, I was concerned with what each car offered for safety. I believe the most important 21^st century advancement in vehicles to improve safety while driving is the option to sync your phone to the car. My parents helped me buy my first car and I knew the best way to keep safe while driving was to buy a car that could sync my phone and music so I would not ever be tempted to touch my phone while driving. When I get in my car I take the time to adjust my setup, put on my seat belt, check my phone, turn on music and then I take off on my journey. Plus, my friends are the same so we would not cause each other to get in trouble or want someone to get hurt. My friends are a big part of me wanting to make sure I drive safely because I would not want to hurt them and want to make sure their parents respect and trust me.

Distracted driving is something that could cause harm that most definitely could be prevented with a few minutes of preparation and/or ability to wait to respond. I am very fortunate that I have not been in a car accident but I have seen friends drive too fast. I also have driven my car and my parents cars, so I have seen how different cars drive and how to realize the importance of understanding each vehicle you drive. I think most people want to be a safe driver but they are in a hurry to either get somewhere or respond immediately to someone reaching out to them. That is living in that moment. That one moment is not worth possibly hurting someone or myself. With all the goals I have for the future, I would not want to risk it on one moment. I understand the value all my goals and dreams and for me it is just starting by heading to college this fall. I want to make my mom and dad proud of me. My life is worth it so I am going to take a minute to get my stuff organized before I leave the house so I am not rushing and then need to make up time in the car. I am going to put my phone further than my reach, I’m going to keep music at a moderate level, and I’m going to fasten my seatbelt. My friend’s life is worth it so I am going to focus when driving and pay attention. Other people’s lives are worth it so I will be careful and attentive. Life is worth so much more than just a moment.

I believe life is worth more than just a brief moment and I am very excited about my future so I am a careful and cautious driver. The greatest way to help teens understand to become a cautious driver is to make sure they know there is so much more to life than that exact moment. When you drive distracted you have a high chance of getting hurt or causing harm. In that moment if you cause harm, you could lose out on so many opportunities in life because your life will absolutely change for the worse. You could harm yourself physically or someone else and that pain would live with you forever. You could get a ticket, lose your job, and for me the most pain would be the hurt I would cause my family. I was raised to care about life and to protect other people. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to make a good driving foundation by taking a driver’s education course along with the help of my parents to guide me in becoming a careful driver.