The Importance of Safe Driving in Alaska

Living in Alaska can be difficult in the winter because of the amount of driving required and the conditions I have to drive in. It is not uncommon to see cars in snow ditches on the side of the road, sometimes flipped upside down. I have also witnessed multiple crashes in icy intersections and have been fortunate not to have been in one. Alaska is also home to one of the most dangerous highways in the United States, the Seward Highway, which is a commonly used highway to get from Anchorage to a ski resort. There are many crashes on this highway and usually there is at least one death on it a year. Safe driving is one of the most crucial things to keep in mind during all parts of the year but especially during the winter in Alaska because of how dangerous it can be.

For Christmas two years ago, my grandparents gave me a gift certificate to a drivers education class. It was shortly after I had received my Driver’s Permit and while certainly not on the top of my wishlist, I saw the value of it. The nine hours of class time and eight hours of one on one driving practice were extremely helpful in making me a safe competent driver. I was taught basic rules of the road in the classroom as well as the dangers of driving and driving in Alaska. The eight hours of one on one instruction time were done in February so I was immediately exposed to icy and slick roads. This exposure helped me learn the importance of driving slow, staying in control, and allowing for plenty of time to brake. This class along with many more hours of practice with my parents and grandparents, helped me become familiar with driving in Alaska and earn my Driver’s License.

In the past, I have had two bad driving experiences, one as the passenger and one as the driver, and thankfully in both instances no one was hurt. The first instance was when I was driving with my mom and we were stopped at a stoplight. The road was icy and downhill and the car behind us did not give himself enough time to stop. He slid into our car and rear ended us. Thankfully, it was not with much force and only left a small dent in the car but I remember this experience well because it was my first car crash and was caused by icy Alaskan conditions. My other bad experience driving was when I was entering an intersection in the winter at night and when the road was icy. The light turned yellow and I knew that I was going too fast and was too close to stop in time so I went through. Unfortunately, the light turned red slightly before I had fully entered the intersection and I was pulled over by a police officer. It was a costly mistake, costing around $250 and 4 points off my license but reinforced the lesson of driving slowly, being aware, and always being in control especially when it is icy.

After being pulled over, I took another driving class which focused on skidding. It taught me how to regain control of the car if it starts to slide and we practiced specific situations that might occur. This class reinstilled the importance of driving slowly and the value of studded tires. Through these classes and experiences I also realized that I have to drive safely not only for myself, but for my family as well. I typically take my sister places and am extra vigilant when she is in the car for the sake of her safety as well as being a good role model because she will also begin to drive soon.

Driver’s education and driver’s safety is vital everywhere but especially in Alaska. Driver’s education courses have helped me and many other people understand how to properly drive safely and safe their own lives and others. Safe driving techniques like using a seat belt, driving the speed limit, and allowing for plenty of time to stop can help avoid potentially life threatening car crashes. My experiences in the car and in the classroom have aided me in driving safely and instilled safe driving values in me that I may not have without Driver’s Education. I have to drive about everyday to get to and from school as well as to other extracurriculars and I am constantly reminded of safe driving values by my mom. Each time I leave the house she tells me the same parting words which are “Drive carefully. I love you.”