It Can Wait

Driver’s
education is universally an important step for all young adults eager
to get behind the wheel. However, to many teens, drivers ed
is not viewed as a class to prevent serious injuries to one’s self
and others, nor is it treated as a prerequisite for the operation of
a heavy and potentially dangerous piece of machinery. Teens
frequently view drivers ed as a class to doze off and
daydream. The only thought running through many young adults’ minds
is, “Once I sit through this class I can finally have freedom.” I
have experienced this foible firsthand while I was going through the
process of drivers ed, which is why I believe that the course
should be more rigorous for the safety of high-risk drivers, in
regards to distracted driving specifically, as well as others on the
road.

Consequently,
many steps can be taken to reduce the number of driving related
deaths; most paramount being an increased degree of rigor in the
classroom. A passing grade is technically a C, but would you trust a
surgeon who got straight As with your life, or one with straight Cs?
The same principle applies to drivers ed. The bar needs to
be raised in order to promote a safer environment on the road.

Thankfully
I have never been in a serious car accident, but I have witnessed and
been apart of many close-call situations. For instance, over spring
break I went to Florida with my best friend’s family and we had
both just gotten out licenses. This meant we had the freedom to
explore Panama City Beach as we pleased and were driving around
together multiple times a day. On one outing however, my friend was
on her phone sending snapchat messages, and we were within inches of
hitting the car in front of us. She had to violently slam on her
breaks, and fortunately we did not get into an accident. This one
small mishap could have ruined spring break and gotten us seriously
injured. Getting into these close-call situations really gives the
driver (and passengers) a new perspective on the severity and
consequences of distracted driving.

Everybody
can improve their driving habits to some degree, even the most
cautious drivers. In order to be safer on the road drivers can opt to
turn their phone off completely while behind the wheel. This is the
method that I use personally, because if I’m not aware of a
notification I’ve received, I’m not itching to see who it’s
from or respond. I often urge my friends and family to use this
method as well because ultimately, it can wait. Nothing is more
important than your life, or the lives of people around you and
practicing safe driving lowers the risk for everyone behind the
wheel.