In The Driver’s Seat

Driver’s education is the foundation to educate about the driving laws, teach us safe driving practices, as well us how to be a defensive driver against situations outside of our control. Coupled with the above, it is mechanism to gain experience and confidence while driving, with constructive feedback and supportive guidance. Driving is such an incredible privilege and responsibility, and that responsibility is impressed upon you while taking driver’s education.

Throughout the poem that follows are various steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving, as well as that can be taken to be a better and safer driver on the road. While, I have never had the experience of being in a car accident, only someone hitting me while parked, I have seen many friends and family members driving irresponsibly. The most prevalent situation is being on the phone while driving. What may seem like a legitimate reason, such as to find directions when lost, an alternative would be to pull over first. I have been in other situations where I have had to take friends keys away or ask them to stay the night for their safety and the safety of others.

I understand my responsibility “in the driver’s seat” and am committed to practice and promote safe driving of all those that surround me in this precious life.

See poem starting on next page.

Distracted driving

Is prevalent among peers

Focus should be on the road

And not to switch gears

What a generation I am part of

Technology is the rage

We must be careful when driving

Or we will not age

Social media is a danger

To those near and far

We must stay off our phones

Behind the wheel of a car

Do not text and drive

Please be safe

A precious life is a life

That you cannot replace

It is not that important

For the social media post

Wait until you have stopped

To celebrate and toast

Do not search the internet

For that impulse you feel

Do your homework before

You get behind the wheel

Hold the Instagram post

Until you get home

Enjoy the internet

When you are not on roam

Forget being cool

That TikTok video can wait

Snapchat with your friends

When you get home from your date

No electronic gaming

To compete with your friends

It won’t be so fun

If a friend’s life suddenly ends

Your #1 priority

Eyes on the road

A second away

And your life could explode

The music you blast

Can be distracting to you

But, also to others

And impact far more than a few

Do not drink and drive

A responsibility that’s a must

From driver to driver

We must be able to have trust

Hand over your keys

If there’s a chance you’re not safe

So that you are assured

To get to your place

Same is true

If a friend seems impaired

Take their keys away

Later they will know you cared

Roadway safety

A challenge to address

So many lives are lost

When we are careless

Be sure to buckle up

When you enter the car

Check your passengers, too

No matter if going near or far

So many destinations

For all of us to see

Driving is the privilege

To get us from point A to B

When going on vacation

The destination is the lure

People end up in accidents

And take an unplanned detour

Hospitals they visit

And vacations will end

We must act now

To prevent this and mend

Do not forget GPS

Garmin or Tomtom in the car

Not looking at maps or phone

For your destination afar

Neon signs –

Reminders that flash

Keep your hands on the wheel

And do not litter your trash

Be aware of the weather

You may hydroplane

Keep cruise control off

While driving in the rain

Eyes to the front

And not on the backseat

Excited kids can distract

When they want to eat

Yield to pedestrians

They have the right of way

Each person is someone’s family

Let us keep accidents at bay

Motorcycles are hard to see

And bicycles are, too

Make sure to stop

And look in the rearview

Do not eat while driving

Rather pull over instead

Enjoy your burger and fries

And keep your head

Follow the speed

It is with good cause

Review your speedometer

Slow down and pause

Reminders to brake early

In a traffic jam

Otherwise, a pile-up

That was not your plan

Do not tailgate others

Keep the 3-second rule

It could be upsetting

And road rage is not cool

Defensive driving

Is the best way

To keep your plans

And enjoy your day

Driver’s Education

Can reinforce responsibility

Before we drive on our own

And get handed the key

Many things learned

Laws and the like

You must be educated

Before you get on the pike

Please respect the road

And the barriers you face

The last thing you want

Is to be a statistic or case

Higher penalties needed

For those that disobey

Law and order

A priority to convey

Amidst this poem

I hope an idea or two

The problem is everywhere

And issues not few

Please be safe and alert

When you are on the road

So that you can get home

Your family awaits at your abode