YOLO

YOLO.
This is the outlook on live many individuals take when living
dangerously, or just to have fun. But what they don’t realize, is
you ONLY live once. Why risk your one life to last only 25 short
years when you have the opportunity to live out your life and enjoy
equal pleasures. One of these YOLO mindsets involve dangerous
driving. “It doesn’t matter if I get into an accident and die,
because I am living my life to the fullest.” But what about that
mother and three kids who now have to live without their father
because he was hit by a drunk driver. He was not out at four in the
morning for an intoxicated joy ride. No, he was on his way to work on
order to support his growing family.

The
education aspect of driver safety is a huge problem today. Driver’s
aren’t aware that safety on the road is more critical than making
it to your appointment on time. If everyday drivers were aware of how
many lives were lost each year due to car accidents, it would change
the way they drive. Education is like a police patrol car. When a cop
isn’t around, you drive ten or more over. As soon as you see a cop,
or one pulls up next to you, the immediate reaction is to slow down
to avoid consequences. This is the approach that is needed to take a
stand against ignorant drivers: they need to be educated before they
slow down.

When
I took my permit test and my driver’s test, the questions were
focused around being a safe driver. I am now 17, and I took that test
when I was 15. In all honesty, I do not remember the blood alcohol
levels allowed before a driver is impaired. Over a span of two years,
it is easy to forget specific safety laws. I propose that a mandatory
renewal test should be issued two years after the initial permit
test. Then every five, seven, and ten years until the license is
suspended. The only way to ensure that drivers are educated is to
place a level of responsibility over their heads. I believe that a
renewed education is the most controllable aspect in reducing the
amount of deaths on the road.

I
have seen a lot of irresponsible driving in high school among my
friends. After home games, everyone like to meet at a local
restaurant for dinner. Almost every night as I drive, I see at least
two of my friends racing down the street to be the first one there. I
believe that teenage racing is a common form of dangerous driving and
it needs to be stopped. One of these days, my friends are going to
get in an accident if they are not properly educated in safe driving
techniques. As I strive to be a safe driver, I refuse to participate
in these races. I also have set up the following guidelines for
myself as I drive: Never text and drive, map out my route before I
leave my house, never have the music too loud, and always be aware of
my surroundings,

As
drivers are educated on practices of safe driving, I believe that it
will lower the amount of deaths on the road. My goal is to protect my
one life, and the lives of others. Because after all, you only live
once.