The Importance of Safe Driving

As the world evolves, so does everything else. Our buildings, streets, and cars are features that change with it. We have seen it on commercials when a car is seen driving at 90 miles per hour off a mountain. Users love the thrill of speeding and feeling unstoppable. The thrill is what makes them feel alive. What these car users do not understand is that the same feeling can disappear at the speed of a second. Fast enough to take away their life. It’s the end of their life, and the beginning of endless pain for the families and people affected. It’s a selfish act that could easily been avoided if they simply thought before they acted.

The purpose of Drivers Education goes far beyond simply completing a high school credit. It builds the foundation of your idea of driving. Speaking from personal experience, when I was 14 years old, I was excited to begin driving. I was looking forward to being my own transportation. When I completed Drivers Education, I became aware of possible situations. Drivers Education requires students to watch a video on car crash survivors. It was an interview and they asked people what they would do differently before the accident. It is an emotional rollercoaster. When students take Drivers Education, it makes them think twice about what they do behind the wheel. They will be more likely to put their cellphones down and obey the speed limit. If people act responsibly, it will prevent a lot more car accidents and may even save thousands of lives. This course shines a light on the dangers of driving and shows the reality of it.

There are multiple steps that one can take to prevent getting in a car accident. One step is to never text and drive. No matter how urgent a text may seem, it is not worth risking your life or the life of another individual. If you feel that its urgent, carefully pull over to a store and park your car. Never text while you are driving. Another tip is to turn on your signals and headlights when necessary. It can be difficult to see a car at night or through thick fog. The lights allows people to know that there is another car besides just them. The signal lights are not just an extra feature. They are meant to be used properly. It can be scary when a car begans to slow down immediately without it signaling to others that they are heading a different direction. Car crashes happen in seconds which is why it is good to give people a heads up about how you will proceed. Another tip to keep an eye out for any signs. Follow directions and slow down when you notice the speed limit change. Always stop at stop signs and watch the traffic lights. You aren’t in control over other peoples action but you can definatly do your best to keep yourself safe.

This Summer I got into a car accident. I was with my mom and her boyfriend. My older sister was at work and she had ordered us food to go pick up. As we were exiting my street, into the main highway, I recall taking a video of the dark blue sky. It had previously rained so I thought it was a beuatiful view. The whole time, I could not keep my eyes off the sky changing darker and darker. My moms boyfriend was driving and my mother was on the passengers side. We were entering a pitch black road, when suddenly we crashed into a ginormous tree branch on the road. In that moment, I hopped out of my seat and wanted to hold onto my mom who was sitting in front of me. The seatbelt I was wearing, kept me tight in my seat. We were lucky that the tree branch didn’t break through the glass. Another car behind us had it worse. A tree branch broke through the glass and the passanger got injured. I couldn’t help but wonder, what I would do if that was my mom who got hurt. Thankfully no one died but in those seconds of fear, I was terrifyed of dying and leaving behind everyone and everything I love. After the accident it pushed me to urge the ones I love to always drive safe. My moms brother passed away in a car accident in 2001 and everyday she thinks about him. She wonders who he would be, if he was alive to this day. If he would have accomplished his dreams or had kids. I push myself to be a good driver because I never want my mom to have to deal with the pain of losing a kid.

Theres been times where I will witness people I know, text and drive or speed. In these situations, I tell them to put their phone down or stop speeding. When they are driving me somewhere, they are in charge of the wheel. Not only in charge of the wheel but also in charge of my life. If I were to pass away in a car accident, the responsibility would fall on them. I want the people that I care about to always drive safe. Not only will I encourage them to do better, I will also act on it. By educating other of the dangers of irresponsible driving, they will fear them being in that situation. Promoting safe driving in high school will pressure students to not drive wrecklessly. The Drivers Education course is a very benificial class that every driver should be required to take. Only then will it lower the death rate of car accident victims. It makes people realize that their life matters and is not something to mess with.