Drivers ed Success

Most
teens believe that driving is a right of passage. Many of my friends
at my high school, missed class to go to the DMV on their 16th
birthday, and they were presented with a brand new vehicle to
celebrate this right of passage. In my pathway to driving, I took a
different road. Being a two sport athlete, I didn’t have much time
to practice my driving skills. Obtaining a permit to drive is a very
important first step in proving to your parents that you are ready to
take the wheel of a car. I had my permit for what seemed to be a very
long time in the life of a teenager. Each time my family went
anywhere, they would have me drive. My father and brother would sit
in the back seat, and my mother right in the front. At times, both my
mother and father would coach me and provide guidance on the “rules
of the road.” My parents were persistent in making sure that I had
effective time and experience in navigating a vehicle. The other
important factor in driver’s training is taking the Driver’s
Education class in school. The seat work and simulators, assist in
preparing students for the driver’s test and safety on the road.
After taking the Drivers ed class, a Behind the Wheel class
is taken, this class provided an additional 5 hours of training with
an unfamiliar person and is very beneficial to preparing students to
be ready to take the road independently. In researching, the
correlation between driver training and the reduction of deaths as a
result of driving. 

When
driving, no matter what your age may be, there are many steps that
can be taken in order to reduce the number of deaths related to
driving. The first step is to make sure that your vehicle is in good
operating condition. For example, make sure the windshield wipers
work, and that the tires are properly inflated and checked for
appropriate tread. The next step is to always wear a seatbelt,
whether you are a driver or a passenger, this is a must. There are
laws now in effect in Arizona requiring seat belts to be worn.
Another important step in reducing death as a result of driving, is
to refrain from distracted driving. Cell phones must be put away,
find your radio station before you take off out of the parking spot.
If friends are in the car, be sure that they are not a distraction
and be sure to keep your eyes on the road at all times. Even though
technology has helped drivers to map out destinations, it is
important to be aware of while using this feature in the car. 

My
parents finally allowed me to get my license when I turned 17. I
wanted to go to the junior prom and drive without my parents in the
car. I remember my Mom telling me that she would take me on a test
drive, to show me how to get to the prom venue. My mom promised that
she would not coach me for this ride. I decided to use a mapping
phone application that provides a computerized voice to give me
directions to get to the prom venue that I would be going to the
following evening. On our way home from the practice run, I decided
to stop by a convenience mart to buy some water. My Mom still wasn’t
providing any coaching, she was trying to remain calm and let me
practice. When leaving the convenience mart, the computer voice said,
turn left. I followed the directions of the computerized voice, and
turned left out of the convenience mart. Right when I turned left, I
saw several bright lights heading my way and a horn honking. I stood
stunned for a moment in time, but I knew that I had to think fast in
order to divert this dangerous situation. My heart raced, and I began
to profusely sweat. I thought back to all the practice and training
that I had received up until this moment. It was like a movie in my
head, sorting through each driving scenario. I looked right and then
left, and took a hard left turn with the steering wheel to flip the
car around to narrowly escape a head- on collision. The computerized
application had told me to turn left, but unfortunately I followed
the direction and I didn’t see the median which separated the two
way traffic. As I reflected on that scary moment,  I finally
understood why my parents had made me practice so much. This is when
I found myself grateful that I had taken driver’s training and
realized how important driver’s preparation is to the new driver.
This was an error that really shaped the driver that I am today. 

As
a second year driver, I take driving very seriously. While following
all safety protocols and implementing prior learning experiences, I
also work to be a defensive driver and try to think about what the
driver ahead of me is going to do. I feel that me being the best
driver and modeling safe driving practices, helps others to be a
better safer driver.  I am grateful for the Drivers ed
opportunities that I was able to participate in and are currently
available to new students. I highly recommend that all teens and new
drivers capitalize on these opportunities.  

In
conclusion, I feel that Drivers ed is essential to ensure a
successful driving future. The classroom instruction, simulators, and
invaluable behind the wheel experience have given me the experience
and knowledge to help guide me on the road. These invaluable lessons
have help me make good driving decisions in my short, yet successful
driving experience