“In the Driver’s Seat” Scholarship Essay

When it comes to driving responsibly, I feel I fall in the group of people who are extra cautious on the road. I was able to develop the tools to become a successful driver with the help of driver education resources and practicing at home. I remember how thorough the process was when I did my test for the first time and because of this thoroughness, I passed with a great score. However, if driver education isn’t taken seriously, the risk for deaths increases. Driver education can be frustrating, considering a lot of people don’t pass on the first try. However, waiting until you have the skills to earn a license and pass the test is essential to reducing deaths on the road.

In order for this goal to be achieved, education needs to start early. I remember learning about driving for the first time in middle school. Even if people aren’t driving when they first learn the importance of driver safety, it’ll still help in the long run. Another step that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving is investing in car brands that prioritize safety features. Nowadays, phones are a driver’s worst weapon. With the help of systems like Apple Carplay, steering wheel control buttons, and touch screen compatibility there’s a good chance the death toll would decrease. Lastly, if it were mandatory to renew driver’s test scores every few years, there could drastically be a decrease in the amount of deaths associated with poor driving. This is especially true since most driver’s test are taken around the ages of 16-18.

In my personal experience, I was involved in a T-bone crash with my Mother at the age of 3. We were hospitalized and I luckily left with minor bruising and scarring. In 2017, I faced an even scarier accident when I was standing on the sidewalk awaiting an Uber when 2 cars t-boned each other at the intersection. I was faced head-on by an SUV and as I ran out of the way, the side of the truck threw me into the air into a ditch nearby. The adrenaline picked me back up and witnesses said I could’ve died. Along with my injury, there was an elderly man riding his bike nearby and he was directly hit and stuck under the front end of an SUV. I had to watch 3 ambulance, 2 crashed cars, 4 cop cars, and miles worth of traffic build up. A helicopter flew down and took the elderly man to a nearby ICU. To this day, I don’t know if he has passed or not, but he sustained critical injuries. Due to these events, I’ve been faced with the fear of reckless drivers and even walking on sidewalks near main roads. I developed PTSD and worsening anxiety/depression solely because of this crash. This is another reason to not drive recklessly; people will suffer in the end.

In order for these scenarios to decline, I’ve taken the steps as a licensed driver to keep 100% of my focus on the roads and surrounding areas. I’ve also invested in a car that is extremely reliable and has wider than usual windows for a better view. Whenever I tell anyone stories about my life, I’ll always start with the accident I experienced in 2017 because it’s not only memorable, but can also prevent my friends from driving poorly. Awareness and educating is the #1 way we can reduce the amount of deaths caused by irresponsible drivers. Awareness can be spread by telling your story about any experiences that may have injured you, your family, friends or neighbors. People don’t want to imagine causing an accident or being hit by someone either, and the more awareness there is, the better chances of people focusing more.

Education is also a priority for the decline in accidents and deaths related to driving. As previously stated, teaching people from a young age about how to safely drive and how important it is to drive safe, can prepare generations in the years to come. The more that communities advocate for better driving habits, the more likely people in those communities will consider those around them, before making careless mistakes. These changes should be regarding brake checking, turning too aggressively, turning at the wrong time, being impatient at stop signs and lights, wearing a seatbelt, keeping headlights on at night, and making sure the vehicle is up to date on maintenance and fluids. All of these problems can be fixed easily and will aid in preventing accidents and deaths.