School to Road

As a seventeen year old, the general thought is I should be excited to start driving. I am able to go anywhere at any time. In reality, I was terrified of having the responsibility of driving myself and others in a possible death machine. Every time I was behind the wheel, I would grip the steering wheel so hard that my hands and knuckles would turn white. The endless fear of the unknown is very powerful.

My father believed that putting me in a driver’s education course would be a better environment for me to learn how to drive and the rules of the road. Also, the driver’s education would prevent me from letting my emotions take over my capability of driving. I could never scream at an instructor for doing their job. Besides driver’s education securing my well-being, it prepared me with the knowledge about everything that has to do with driving. I learned the effects of driving while intoxicated, what to do while driving in the rain, the steps to do when changing lanes, and many more. Unfortunately, people are opting for a much inexpensive lesson, but they are not getting the full introduction of taking a driver’s course. Getting lessons from parents has a negative aspect because the lessons that are being taught have some missing information. Parents focus on information that will only keep the driver safe. A driver’s education course is understanding all the drivers on the road and not just the driver themselves. The excuse of not being taught all the information for driving a vehicle on the road will injure someone at one point. Luckly, I have never been in a car accident, but I have friends that drive irresponsibly. Which heightens my anxiety of not being able to be incontrol of the situation. They do not take driving seriously by checking their phone, driving over the speed limit, and sometimes not wearing their seatbelt. I was truly surprised by the fact that I hear my own friend say these sentences. It gets me upset that they are putting themselves and others at risk for their careless actions. They do not understand the likelihood of getting in an accident. Unfortunately, I knew some kids at my school that passed away in a car accident. They were making a long turn, but the driver was on their phone. He lost control of the car and started swerving until the car had started flipping. The car landed in a ditch with one survivor. It has traumatized me that one day a person can be here and the next day they are gone. Every time we get into a car and start driving we increase our risk of death without the proper education of driving. My parents would also be checking their phone while driving. Becoming a driver myself, I have talked to them about the dangers of texting and driving. Also, I take the phone and do the task for them. A text message is not more important than the life of someone. The steps that I can take to make myself a better driver is constantly practicing. A new driver has not been in many situations that can be solved by doing a certain task. If I keep driving myself, then I can be better equipped to handle any situation that comes my way. While practicing driving, I will be practicing all the rules that I have been taught in driver’s education. For my friends it will be hard to convince them to take driving seriously. I believe that having mock car accidents at school will teach future and new drivers the consequences of being a distracted driver on the road. Students are better at being visual learners, so showing the outcome will get through to the students. As new drivers are not the only risk on the road, experienced drivers also have troubles on the road. Also there should be a mandatory course in high school that can teach the students how to drive free of charge. This will get more students learning the rules of the road. While experienced drivers are driving, they go on “autopilot” because they are in the same routine of driving the same roads everyday. There needs to be a course for adults to renew and learn new information about driving. A refresher course that can prevent “autopilot” mode.

Driving is a serious responsibility that can take the life of someone. It should never be taken so lightly. It is also a huge accomplishment to earn a driver’s license. With great power comes with great responsibility.