My Unique Approach to Helping Others with Driver Safety

Cameron Perrin

University of Southern California

ID: 5432327515

MY UNIQUE APPROACH TO HELPING OTHERS WITH DRIVER SAFETY

Driver education programs are required by law to teach teenagers how to drive. These courses give the new driver the needed tools to understand the rules of the road. A driver must understand what the rules are in order to drive safely.

Driver education is not teaching us to turn the car on. There are many different aspects to driving that need to be taught. Driving education courses teach the driver judgment, common sense and defensive driving. Driver education courses teach us the important factors about driving in all sorts of different weather. Winter and rainy weather are dangerous for even the most seasoned driver; a first time driver needs to be prepared. Driver courses can also teach a student how to avoid getting in accidents and how to drive in congested areas. These classes cover all aspects of driving from parking on a hill to deer crossing safety. These are all things that the driver needs to know. The instructor also passes out driver manuals for us to study when we are not in class. Since the inception of driver education classes in schools, the number of accidents involving teenage driving has been drastically reduced.

I, myself, was involved in a terrible car accident 2 years ago. It is something that will stick with me forever, as the images are embedded in my brain. Incredibly, I walked away unharmed. A photo will be submitted, as you will not understand how I survived. I had an angel with me that day. To make a long story short, It was a Thursday morning in December of 2018. I was 17 years old. I was performing in a professional theater and had a show that day. My “hand me down” car had a flat tire that my dad changed with a spare tire. We all know spares are not to be driven over certain speeds and certain mileage, therefore, my dad suggested my mom and I switch vehicles for the day. The theater I had to drive to was an hour from home. My mom drove a Lincoln MKX, sort of brand new. I loved her car. I left during rush hour traffic and proceeded to enter the highway. About five miles down, the sun started to glare. I was in the fast lane doing 75 miles an hour, ten miles over the speed limit, when all of a sudden, I looked at the dashboard to try and change something for one second (as anyone would say), and when I looked up……I didn’t even have a split second to react. All traffic was stopped! I smashed into the back of a car, who smashed into the back of a car, who smashed into the back of a car. It was a four car pile up! Everything was in slow motion and didn’t seem real. All I could do was jump out to make sure the other drivers/passengers were not hurt. My car was on fire. My driver side door would not open. I had to act fast and jump out the passenger door. The police/fire arrived immediately. The first person I called was my mom. I was freaking out to the point she could not understand me. Once I found out everyone involved was safe, I felt terrible that I smashed my mom’s car. My dad showed up immediately, how he found me so fast I will never know. I walked away unharmed which was an absolute miracle. I truly believe my dad saved my life that day.

I learned so much from that day that I will carry with me through life. I always thought I was a good driver and followed the rules, but actually, I broke the cardinal rule: NEVER TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD! That is my best advice to all drivers out there, especially young drivers who think they are infallible. We live in an age of high technology that can be good and bad at the same time. My driver training drilled into our brains that cell phones kill, and I have to say, I never touch my phone while driving. My parents stressed that many times also. There are so many distractions that can cause accidents, as I know all too well.

I will forever remember that day. I can only hope by telling my story, it saves someone else’s life. These small steps can help reduce the number of accidents and save lives. My parents always taught us to help others, which is something I will do the rest of my life. Thank you for this opportunity from the bottom of my heart.