With Freedoms Come Responsibility

Without education of any sort, we would only be grappling at knowledge. The difference in driver’s education could be life or death. If there is one course that would not only behoove you to pay attention and heed the information it would have to be on the topic of operating a moving vehicle. This not only applies for your wellbeing but your passengers, pedestrians and other drivers around you. For example, if we don’t know what the road signs mean, that alone can prevent or cause an accident. Then you factor in speed, weather conditions, your vehicle maintenance to name a few. Every aspect affects the other when it comes to driving safety. A lot of the guidelines that are in place today have resulted from circumstances that have happened in the past. My parents tell stories about how they didn’t have to wear seatbelts. My mom was the youngest and got to lay on the ground and sleep on long car rides while her two sisters took up the backseat. They also didn’t have distractions like cellphones. There are more people alive today than when my parents were of driving age. Paying attention and following these guidelines can and will reduce the number of future deaths.

I have an older sister. She’s actually 5.5 years older than I am. It’s been a great learning experience for me to watch her become my chauffer, I mean a driver. Growing up you yearn to get to that next level of freedom. Watching Miranda, my only sister or only sibling for that matter has been someone I’ve looked up to, learned from and followed in her footsteps for as long as I can remember. Since obtaining my driver’s license, we have had conversations about how close she follows the car in front of her. So not only have I been able to learn from her but she has from me as well. Thankfully she was receptive to that constructive criticism. This has also happened with friends as well. The phrase ‘see something, say something’ is important when it comes to not only my safety but concern for them as well. If I didn’t say something, no one would benefit from the caution that was provided.

Recently there was a TikTok video of a person driving a truck on the highway going what seemed like double the speed limit that resulted in a fatal crash. That video keeps replaying in my head over and over. It has made me want to be more aware of my surroundings, be more present and to not be distracted as it only takes a split second. While those kinds of videos are scary, sometimes we need to learn from other people’s experiences. Driving is a privilege and not one to be taken for granted. If we can remember that, then maybe we will slow down, pay more attention, call an Uber when we shouldn’t be driving and be the best defensive driver we can be. These steps should and could reduce the number of deaths caused by driving. So, let’s keep learning, growing, and remembering to take care of ourselves, our loved ones, and those around us.

It’s my goal to learn how to drive stick shift. Continued education, right? My mom told me the story about how and why she had to learn how to drive stick. Her friend had broken her ankle and if they wanted to get anywhere, she would need to learn how to drive her car. My all four of parents have talked to me about the importance of knowing how to drive other people’s cars because you never know what situation you might find yourself in. That simple knowledge could be the difference of helping someone else get home safely or maybe yourself instead of having to call someone else.

Before I got my driver’s license, I got my boater’s license. This was a really eye-opening experience for me. My grandpa said that the grandchildren needed to have their boater’s license if they wanted to drive the Sea Doo by themselves. No problem! Independent freedom here I come. Taking the course for my Missouri boater’s license, prepared me for getting my driver’s license. Every educational experience, seems to prepare me for what’s next. First it was my learning how to ride a trike, then my scooter, bicycle, ripstick, boater’s license, driver’s license and now next stop college! With every freedom or independence comes responsibility for others and those around us so here’s to following the guidelines!