Comfort Creates Carelessness

Sometimes, getting in the driver’s seat is liberating. Very rarely do I feel so free, so alive. I love driving so much, I wrote about it for my Common Application Essay—driving is not just something I do, it’s a hobby. So, when I say this, I hope it carries more weight: sometimes, getting in the driver’s seat is terrifying.

I went through driver’s education quickly, taking the online course to fulfill my requirements to pass Health and PE my sophomore year. Admittedly, I didn’t pay too much attention, never really interested in driving. I have, however, heard of one very impactful thing that occur during driver’s education: “drunk goggles.”

I remember when my best friend got on the bus and told me how she used the goggles at school that simulate drunkenness. She even told me that sleep deprivation had the same effect and promised me that it was a terrifying and eye-opening experience. She said she would never drive tired, and she would never drive drunk. This, if nothing else, is the greatest mistake teenagers and new drivers make: driving tired. I’ve known plenty of people who have driven tired, and plenty of them who have gotten into accidents. Driver’s Education is a crucial part of warding drivers against tired driving.

While I have never been in an accident, I witnessed one recently that my entire family was almost a part of. We were driving on a long parkway in Florida, coming home from Disney World (keep in mind, the speed limit was about 55mph), when a tired and impatient driver made a left turn across four lanes of heavy traffic. My dad, who was driving, was able to stop in time, but the driver next to him collided with the truck. While neither party suffered major injury, it was still a terrifying experience for me, my family, and the drivers involved. That experienced ensured I would be patient, even when I was in a rush.

I think more widespread education on driving should be available. Not only should it continue to be required in school, but it should be offered for free to adults who need driver education. Driving tests should be taken throughout life in order to get driving permissions renewed, to assure that adults and kids alike have not forgotten the road and safety laws. Even cars should contain breathalyzer tests to determine if the driver is drunk, and if the driver is found to be drunk, the car won’t move.

Steps I can take to be a better driver is to listen to my parents when they say to call them when I am too tired to drive. Oftentimes, I operate more on pride than anything else, and I believe that I don’t need help; however, it is important for me to accept this help, since I am putting my life and others’ lives in danger every time, I get on the road tired. I can also make sure to practice patience. Patience saves lives. Whether it be patience at a light or patience turning, both will result in safer decisions. In addition, keeping a good following distance and not tailgating cars—even if they are going too slow—is another good practice of patience.

Even though they may not like it, when I get into another driver’s car and find that some of their driving is reckless or makes me uncomfortable, I speak up and explain the safer option. While they may not always take my advice, I feel that it is important to share. In addition, whenever I know my friends or family members are tired or will be rushing to get somewhere, I offer to drive them myself, in order to keep them and others safe.

Sometimes, being young can make driving exciting. Other times, it makes it dangerous. The freedom of driving is exciting and the ability to go wherever, whenever (with parental permission, of course), is something most teenagers wouldn’t trade for the world. However, being a young driver also opens the doors of dangers. Fun drives with friends can turn into distracted driving, rushing home can turn into speed racing, and driving to school in the morning can turn into possibly fatal accidents.

As a teenager, I am more aware now than ever of how dangerous driving can be. I’m also more aware than my parents. Adults get comfortable with stretching the limits of safety, because they are farther removed from the new feeling, and knowing the small dangers that exist—comfort creates carelessness. This is why it is important for me and others my age to speak up and ensure that those around us—teenagers and adults alike—drive safely, and with caution.