Safer Together

The importance of driver education in reducing the numbers of deaths as a result of driving is significant so lives aren’t in so much danger when it comes to just getting from point A to point B. When I was learning to get my permit, I did the 30 hour course on the dmv website. This opened my eyes to all the aspects of driving such as traffic signs, right of way, what it means to drive a vehicle, crash statistics, and more. What stuck out to me was what it means to drive a vehicle. When Iwas younger, a teacher in my elementary/middle school once told a group of us that driving a vehicle means that you are driving something that is deadly to you and the people in, or outside of the car. Knowing the safety of what comes with driving is extremely important because it keeps you and everyone else safe. I know that when there is even one person that is with me when I drive I have to be extra careful because I am responsible for not just my life anymore. There is someone in the car that trusts me enough to drive them somewhere safe. I drive my close family almost every day. Driving is a huge responsibility and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. The steps to be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving is to remove all distractions like putting my phone somewhere I can’t reach or to not disturb it. If not, then I need to make sure that I can completely make sure that I don’t grab my phone when I am driving. I am aware that taking your attention away for even a second driving 40-50mph could be driving the length of a football field blindly. I know that I have grabbed my phone while driving but realizing how fast my life can change has stopped me from doing it again. There are so many deaths that lead to car crashes that we have to be aware of all the simple and avoidable possibilities of crashing. I am extremely grateful and lucky for being in only minor car crashes. I have never been in something too damaging to the vehicle so I have always been safe but being aware of how often car crashes happen daily, I am again, so lucky to not have experienced a car crash. When it comes to friends I have at school or the people around me, I wouldn’t say that I have always seen them drive safely. Just the other day, a student drove a car while another student was on top of the hood. The admin immediately shut it down and rehearsed the safety of everyone. I know that I deeply care for the people that I surround myself with and I wouldn’t know what I would do if I have ever lost someone. Every highschool student that has been blessed to own a car to take them places has a huge responsibility that has been put to the back of their heads. Just because you are in a vehicle alone doesn’t mean that you are at a possibility of endangering yourself, every single person around you is in danger. Getting behind the wheels has its great risks but being safe should be the priority.

Personally, the steps that I can take to better and be a safer driver is removing distractions, knowing and being alert of my surroundings, and being aware of my emotions. It is just as dangerous as someone who is recklessly driving to someone who is driving angry or deeply emotional. I need to make sure that I am in the right state to drive every time that I get behind the wheel. This could also help when it comes to my friends and family also deciding to ever drive. I could examine their state of being and make sure to question them if I ever think that they aren’t in the best state to drive. I know that if I were to ever get into an accident, God forbid that I suffer from terrible conditions, I will become an organ donor to save lives and give other people a second chance. There is little possibility when it comes to getting a second chance at life. You must not waste it and to know that life is precious. I will live and drive safely and if anything happens, then I will hope to continue living on through my organ recipients. Making a safer driver has an impact on making a safer world.