Driving: A Privilege, not Right

The older we get the more privileges arise, such as a first phone and pierced ears. In the United States, driving lessons can be taken at fourteen and three fourths’ years old. At sixteen years old, a license can be received. This is a lower age compared to other countries. To compare, eighteen is the minimum age for driving a car in Spain. Since there are so many young drivers on the road, this makes driver education crucial in keeping others and themselves safe while behind the wheel.

When taking driving classes, the classroom lessons and tests can seem boring. The idea of sitting in the driver’s seat and getting on the road is exciting and many are eager to jump to that. However, what is taught in the classroom is crucial and the first step to educating teenagers on how to properly operate a car. Curriculum covers imperative topics such as drunk driving, road signs, how to react in adverse weather such as downpours or snowstorms, and much more. These topics are necessary to be aware of because if you are not, it could very easily be the reason you or someone else is injured or dies. Looking at drunk driving, it is one of the riskiest ways to drive and if someone gets behind the wheel after a party while intoxicated, the chances of crashing and you or your friend dying are high. Being intoxicated ruins focus as well making it possible to hit a deer at night and go spiraling into a ditch. Deaths from driving can occur when it is not the drivers fault as well. Weather can change quickly, especially where I live in Michigan, so knowing how to handle dangerous roads is vital. Hydroplaning can be deadly as well as limited vison when your windshield is being pounded by snow or hail, essentially blinding you. Ways on how to safely adjust your driving are covered in class so as boring as it may seem, drivers education will teach how to handle yourself in undesirable and unsafe situations so you or no one else dies.

Incidents while driving will always happen whether it be an accident or someone’s fault, but there are different ways to safely approach driving. I live my life by the “Better safe than sorry” motto and that is a mindset people can apply to driving. Even though your phone is ringing and it could be urgent, do not pick it up. Voicemail exists for a reason and if you crash and end up critically injured, you will not be calling back anytime soon. But just grabbing it real fast will not hurt, right? That leads me to a similar mindset that would do many well to adapt while driving, and that is to disregard the “What are the chances it will happen to me” thought process. This can be deadly because it leads to people taking those risks that can lead to tragedy in just seconds. Reaching for the phone and taking your eyes off the road, letting go of the wheel to open a snack, reaching for something in the back seat. Remarkably simple actions and they do just take a few seconds, so what are the chances of crashing? Higher than one would think. Anything can happen in those few seconds while not looking and even though nothing may happen, better safe than sorry. If the odds do go against you and you hit an animal, another car, or swerve off the road, you are going to wish you did not test luck. It is even worse to involve someone else in your mistake, so best to not risk it at all. By putting yourself into these mindsets and being cautious while driving, you will be less likely to take the risk and drive distracted, potentially causing harm. Grandma can call later, and that stubborn granola bar wrapper should not be the cause of your death.

Everyone I know has their licenses. They have all been safe drivers and no one I know personally has been in an accident nor have I. But I have seen plenty of stories on the news about people making poor decisions or people getting caught up in other’s bad choices, and I am thankful none of them has been personal. Incidents when someone drove distracted while talking on the phone and ended up hitting someone anger me to hear about. Someone made a poor choice and made someone else suffer. When these happen, it creates an example and puts more emphasis on how necessary and important drivers’ education is and how it needs to be effective because of the young and impressionable audience it is being taught to.

I have had my license for almost a year and make sure I am alert and focused when I go out. My parents were adamant that I knew to use my head while driving because anything can happen in an instant, and to never try and show off or act cool. When driving is not the place nor time to speed to be impressive or be reckless. To keep myself a safe and smart driver I keep my parents’ words in mind and think of my future. I want to keep it, which is why I keep attentive while driving. I take steps to keep safe and use my head, such as keeping my phone tucked away and keeping the food in the bag for later. While I am out with friends and they are driving I change the music, hold the food, and give directions to keep them focused on the road. They all have a good head on their shoulders and my help as a passenger keeps us safe on the road.

Driving is a privilege, not a right. Paying attention in drivers education and listening to your parents and driving instructor is of the upmost importance to stay safe on the road and getting a license, let alone keep it. I was excited to start driving and enjoy it, having the freedom to go out with friends and see new places. To keep that freedom, I commit to being responsible behind the wheel, no matter how good those fries smell in the bag. There are temptations while driving but staying focused just might save someone’s life.