Choosing the Right Choice

As a kid, I grew up watching my parents and admiring their every move. This has translated into my work ethic and many of my habits. Recently I have been reminded of a time that my mom was pulled over. Back then, I did not know why police officers would pull people over so when I saw him, I was confused. He told my mother that she was going to be getting a ticket for speeding, and when I had heard him I asked, “Is it a ticket to the circus?” This event is always brought up and is a reminder to drive the speed limit for me. But since I’ve started driving, I’ve learned the importance of being a safe and educated driver.

Like most teenagers, I took driver’s education when I was 15 so that I could get my permit as soon as possible. What I did not realize was the impact that the class would have on my day-to-day life. Sitting through the days of the class may have been boring but there were important lessons that I would learn. One of which was the impact that unsafe driving has on people. During that class, we watched a film called “Red Asphalt” which displayed the aftermath of dangerous car crashes. Seeing the people who were taken too soon and destroyed cars reminds me to stay safe while driving. If more people are educated on the dangers of car crashes and how to avoid them it would lead to an overall safer driving experience.

In driver’s education, there were lots of small tips and tricks that I learned that overall make me a smarter driver. I learned that I should set up my mirrors to see right past my door handles to optimize the view. And I also learned the easiest way to check my blind spots. To me, the best way to reduce the number of deaths related to driving would be to educate the people. If people knew how many deaths occurred from reckless driving, they may think twice about their actions. One major issue in driving is texting and driving or just using your phone in general. Looking at a phone for 5 seconds while driving at a speed of 55 mph is the same as driving a football field blind (https://www.fleetio.com/blog/how-far-does-your-vehicle-travel-while-looking-at-your-cell-phone). Spreading the information about the dangers of using a phone while driving could lead to less phone use which would lead to safer driving for everyone. A majority of car wrecks are caused by recklessness that could have been avoided in the first place. In my opinion, a text message is not worth somebody’s life.

Personally, I have not been in a car wreck while driving, although being honest there have been some close calls. There are many times when the person in front of me slams on the breaks, resulting in a chain of slammed breaks. Recently there was a time when I had to slam on the breaks and the person behind me was not paying attention and veered to the side to avoid hitting me. There was a time when I got in a wreck with my dad and brother because a woman did not realize my dad stopped at the light. We ended up sliding through the median and coming to a stop without anyone being majorly injured. Although due to this woman not having her complete focus on the road, my family could have been majorly injured. I’m thankful that this was not the case, but anything could have happened.

The easiest step to being a safer driver is to eliminate all distractions. Whether that distraction is your phone, music, food, or even your friends. There are so many simple distractions that people do not realize are distractions. Trying to eat food or open a water bottle while driving is almost as dangerous a using your phone. It takes your attention away from the road and the vehicle you are driving. As much as I love a good snack, it can be dangerous to multitask on the road. Friends can be a distraction as well taking your mind and focus away from the road. The main goal of eliminating your distractions is to make sure that the road has your full attention. Another step to make that will lead to safer driving would be to have more patience. Road rage is a serious distraction from driving. Even though many people deserve the road rage they get, it leaves them and others in danger. Focusing on the dangers and the wrongdoings of others distracts a driver from the task at hand and can lead to distracted driving. Driving with more patience and remaining calm can lead to a safer car ride.

Overall, being a safe and aware driver is more important than any text message or song. By taking the time to eliminate distractions and learning important road safety skills, you could save a life one day. The life you save might even be yours.