An Essay on the Vitality of Safe Driving Coming From An Unsafe Driver

Driving at 16 is something young teens look forward to and associate with maturity and independence. Though the convenient and fun parts about driving are thought a lot about, the scary reality of how an automobile can be used as a weapon is usually only considered by parents. Driving is a defensive act. Not only critiquing how you drive, but staying catious of others on the road is essential.

To have a smart driver, you must have an educated driver. Education usually starts at 14 in the form of drivers training. Taking advantage of the tools and instruction during both segments one and two will help you be an even better driver. Sponging up values such as staying alert, knowing when and when not to drive, and being a defensive driver are all things we can do better at. Drivers’ education and pushing these values from the very start of a driving career sets up teens to be educated, aware drivers. The more educated a population is and the more that population applies that education equals safer drivers.

Just like anything else, things can be made better. Reducing risk of death while driving has been something that has been an important virtue to car companies, governments, law enforcement, and parents since the invention of the Model T. Today with cars and licenses being so accessible to where most teens can obtain these privileges, it is more important than ever to think about safety. More drivers mean a greater risk of an accident. To educate these drivers and put regulations in place to keep our communities safe is imperative. With the booming use of cell phones over the past two decades, distracted driving has become more prominent than ever before. Many states have enacted laws for novice drivers and the absence of cell phones. Reducing the use of cell phones is the heart of making drivers more aware. Although it has been a law for young drivers for many years, having a limit of how many passengers are allowed with an unexperienced driver also greatly reduces distractedness. Taking away distractedness reduces the risk of death. Being aware of your vehicle and its surrounding makes you as a driver more prepared for the unexpected. Conscientiousness is a value all drivers should embody. This trait helps you become a defensive driver protecting you even more on the road.

Being one of the many teens who knew the dangers of driving, but did not put those values taught to me to practice, I made many mistakes my first year of drivung. I am currently 17 years old and obtained my liscence in July of 2020. This past July, almost one year from when I had started driving, I was in what almost was a fatal car accident. Drinking and driving was a normal part of my life as I unhealthily coped with past trauma and hardships. Although I, and others, had been lucky months prior to my accident, the evening of July 10^th was not as fortunute. After a substancial amount of alcohol, I along with my sister and co-worker decided to go out for a drive. The next thing I knew, I was pinned under my truck. Fortunetly my sister and co-worker were able to be quickly transported to a hospital from the scene. However, I the driver was trapped under the weight of my Silverado for over an hour. Furthermore in the accident my truck had rolled completely across a two-lane road. My window was down and every time that my truck rolled, it also ended up rolling over my left arm. This resulted in the amputation of my arm at the scene. Trapped under my truck with the shock of losing my arm and the fear of death was heavy to say the least. Fortunetly for me my life was graciously spared. No other cars were involved, but easily could have. That day changed my life forever and continues to change my life everyday. Although I’m taking a break from driving for the time being, the value of safe driving is a topic close to my heart. I pray that my younger sister and friends take the importance of safe driving into great consideration to avoid a situation as I had gone through.

The main thing to create one better driver at a time is to start by looking inwardly. Assess how you drive. Do you break too hard, accelerate too quickly, follow too close behind others? Next time you drive ask these questions and critique yourself. Driving ten over the speed limit may get you somewhere a minute or two faster, however it does not save you from tickets and the possiblity of death. Refresh your mind on basic safety principles such as keeping the music turned to a reasonable volume, having an appropraite amount of passengers per seats in your vehicle, and to not drink and drive. Text a friend or loved to drive safe when you know they will be out on the road. Not only to show you care, but to also give a subtle reminder to do so. Although I can not change others behavior, I can always start with myself.