Making Roads Safer and People Aware

Driving is something that every kid looks forward to. It means freedom and a step closer into adulthood. What many kids choose to ignore is that with these newfound freedoms there comes ten times more responsibility. This responsibility is the reason that driver education is so important in reducing the number of deaths. Driver education teaches you not only the essential of driving like holding the wheel with two hands or that a red light means stop, but it also teaches you what to do when you are hydroplaning, or what you should do if driving in snow. I remember two very important things from driver education, that to this day I still think about every time I drive. Do not bend down to reach something and do not stop on railroad tracks. My class was shown a video of a girl who had dropped her phone and she wanted to respond to a text message, and then next thing you know there’s a car coming at her and it results in her death. This video made a significant impact because I am reminded that one text message is not worth the rest of your life. There was also a guy who came in to speak about railroad tracks, he told us a story and it involved a car on the tracks who did not obey the flashing lights, so the car got stuck and because of the speed of the train, unfortunately the person in the car lost their lives. Avoiding those five or ten extra minutes of waiting for the train to pass is not worth the rest of my life or the life of others. These important lessons that are learned in drivers’ education will prevent deaths and make people more cautious and aware when driving. Reducing all deaths while driving is not an attainable goal, however there are steps that one can do to reduce them. Not only should people have to attend drivers’ education courses prior to getting their license, but licenses should be renewed every two years and when renewing adults should be required to attend a forty-five-minute class to re-learn all the possible tragedies that can occur if you do not drive smart. Just like Jury is mandatory for people this should also be mandatory and if they choose not to attend, they have to pay seventy-five dollars.

I have been in a car accident that was caused by a person running the red light, my mom t-boned the other car causing them to flip, and we lost control of our car. Luckily no one was injured but it reminded me how we should always double check the lights before we think it is safe to go. When my mom was in high school, she was in a bad accident and had to be rushed over in a helicopter. The accident was her fault, but because of her experience she takes driving very seriously and always tells my sisters and I that it is better to get somewhere late than to never get there at all. I have also been in cars where people are driving irresponsibly and I have even done this before, but it was because I almost ran off the road that reminded me that while I am on the road, I am not only responsible for myself but also those in the car and the other people on the road. Becoming a better and safer driver starts with me putting my full focus on the road and my surroundings and making sure that I am not a distraction for others when they are driving. Being a safer driver also means that I should drive the speed limit, limit the amount of phone calls I make, focus on what is around me and always keep my eyes on the road. When driving with other people, if they need to look at their phone to respond to a text, change the music, or get directions, I should offer to do that for them as a responsible driver and passenger. Driving is a team effort and involves everyone on the road, if every person would remember that it is not just them on the road and that their actions have an effect on others driving then the road would become safer for everyone and more accidents would be prevented. Drivers education is essential and this is the first step to making better drivers and preventing deaths. The more kids know the impact of their consequences the more likely they are to make the right decision, especially if their own life is at risk.