Driver Education Initiative Scholarship Essay

Driver Education is important in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving as well as distracted driving. Although paying attention to other drivers, traffic signs, etc. are important but as a teenager, the awareness of distracted driving is just as important. Many distractions exist while driving, but cell phones are a top distraction because so many drivers use them for long periods of time each day. As a teen, it should be mandatory for beginning drivers to take driving courses and sign an affidavit regarding distracted driving. It is also important to bring driver education courses back into the school systems. This allows students of all economic demographics to take advantage of these courses where they may not be able to afford to take private driving lessons. Deaths relative to driving does not have a demographic; therefore, public schools or their school board representatives should fight to get this back in all school systems. If a liability is a concerns for schools bring back driver education back in school then it should be mandatory with either the state or insurance companies to require this responsibility and offer vouchers to absorb this expense to certain demographics who cannot afford to pay for private driving lessons just as they do for free lunch. If this is not an option, maybe they can design simulations to have this course at school that will mirror that of an aviation course. Surely, schools can offer an aviation course and CDL licensure course, we can come up with a way to offer driver education in the classroom. Being taught, watching films and having speakers and agencies provide testimonials may save a life. This course could have an impression on a young driver through their adult years. Peer-to-peer communication also has an impact and offer value. Schools can also offer driver education awareness as an organized school club where a student will lead this effort. I just recently thought of this as I was preparing this essay and would definitely encourage this prior to graduating. I’ve previously connected my school with the CLIF organization but that was a one time presentation and with the mindset of “us teenagers” we would only think of that at the time of presentation. However, if this was a “constant” in the school, this may make a significant difference and impact. Just as personal finance is a required course to graduate high school, so should driving education. Since obtaining my permit and driver’s license, I have not been involved in a traffic accident whether I was driving or family was driving. However, last year I attended school with a peer who was involved in car accident that caused a brain injury. He played football and had to work very hard through rehab and personal training to get cleared by TSSAA to play football again. His car accident was due to distracted driving. In addition, not all distracted drivers are teens. There have been time where I’ve witnessed distracted drivers being adults. Taking that “important phone call” and responding to that “business text or email” can be detrimental to themselves or others. Therefore, businesses should adopt a policy related to distracted driving.

Prior to learning to drive, I became involved with a non-profit organization by the name of C.L.I.F which is an acronym for Collegiate Life Investment Foundation. This organization was started by one of my mother’s co-workers whose fiancé was involved in a fatal car accident due to someone else’s distracted driving. It was not clear to me at this young age the importance of this but once I began driving, it made sense to me. I still volunteer with this organization with well over 300+ volunteer hours to maintain and promote awareness of distracted driving. In addition, my mom installed Life 360 on her phone to monitor my speed as well as if distracted driving is taking place. This holds me accountable because I certainly do not want to lose my driving privileges but I most importantly want to keep myself safe as well as other drivers the best I can. Life 360 app, or something compatible, is helpful to parents to monitor their young drivers. “It takes a village” is the statement my mom routinely uses as we discuss things like this in addition to being accountable for yourself. As I prepare for prom and graduation, I keep these things in mind because we always hear of young drivers being involved in fatal and near fatal car accidents because of distracted driving, drinking and driving, etc. during this time.