Staying Alive

I attended driver education at the insistence of my parents. Learning about being a safe

driver started with ensuring I had all the proper tools such as hand sanitizer, Clorox Wipes,

a mask, and a review of expectations from my mother. My classroom instruction taught me

traffic laws and regulations as well as defensive driving techniques. My driving instructor

reinforced what I had learned in class as well as taught me how to safely change lanes, pull

into traffic, make u-turns, fully stop at red lights before turning right and how to parallel park.

He taught me how different conditions such as night driving, freeway driving and weather

require different skills and approaches. But most importantly, he encouraged me to never

assume that other people are paying attention and that I need to pay attention for them.

When I received my license I took for granted what I was taught. I drove too fast, ate

meals while driving and became engrossed in my music. Stopping at Starbucks on my way

to school became a regular habit that distracted me on my busy commute. However, reality

came crashing into the front end of my car one morning. The light was green and the driver in

front of me was making a right turn. Someone stepped off the curb and into the crosswalk

causing the driver to slam on her brakes. My attention was on my music and my coffee

causing me to drive into the back of her car. It was only a few short days later when someone

drove into the back of my vehicle while I was stopped at a red light. He admitted to me that he

was distracted and didn’t realize I was stopped. These two instances so close together

shook me to my core. I understood how lucky I was that I was not hurt and that I didn’t hurt

someone else. I didn’t want to drive anymore and begged my parents to take me to school.

However, once I calmed down I thought about what I had learned in driving school, distracted

driving is an accident waiting to happen.

Although my driving instructor talked to me about the dangers of distracted driving I didn’t

fully realize the potential consequences until my two accidents. According to the National

Highway Transportation and Safety Administration, 3,142 people were killed in fatal distracted

driving accidents in the United States in 2019 and 25% of distracted drivers in fatal crashes are

between the ages of 20 and 29 (CDC).

In order to keep everyone safe; the pedestrians in crosswalks, the drivers around us, all of

our passengers as well as ourselves, we must make sure not to create distractions. I have my

breakfast before I leave for school and leave my cell phone in my backpack. I also have taken

my driving instructors advice and drive as if everyone else is distracted. I pay attention to what

is going on not only in front of me but in front of the drivers around me. I try to give myself a

way out by following the speed limit and keeping enough distance from the driver in front of

me. I don’t tailgate and if someone is tailgating me I move to another lane or if safe, pull over

so they can pass. I also provide passenger rules for the people riding in my car. My parents

ask me to drive when we go out together so that I continue to learn new skills and they can

reinforce safe driving habits.

I do believe that a stronger emphasis and more time should be spent on the dangers and

consequences of distracted driving in driver education classes. Learning how and when it

happens improves people’s abilities to manage and reduce distractions. When young people

start driving, parents should engage in conversations and enter into contracts with their

children. The contracts should include items that reinforce good driving habits such as

buckling seat belts, driving within the speed limit, limiting the number of passengers, not

drinking alcohol or taking drugs, putting all distractions away and ensuring that they always

know their route before leaving for their destination. Contracts can be reevaluated and changes

made as the driver becomes more experienced and proves their skills as a safe driver.

Although I’m still considered a new driver and working on improving my driving skills, I

would encourage everyone to attend driver education classes. It provides a solid

foundation allowing new drivers to utilize what they have learned to improve their driving skills

and keep everyone safer.