Think Twice

Kellie
Jourdan Taylor

3/20/2020

Drivers
Ed Online Essay Contest

Lees-
McRae College

Getting
my driver’s license was a very big deal because it meant I could
finally work and go see my friends. Every sixteen-year-old gets
excited about the day they can finally drive by themselves and go
explore the world at their own leisure. However, before I could ever
have the privilege of a driver’s license, I had to go to driver’s
education classes. The importance of drivers ed in reducing
the number of deaths as a result of driving is not as much as it
needs to be. I say this because vehicles wouldn’t be the leading
cause of death if drivers ed lowered it drastically.
However, I do believe that drivers ed makes young drivers
aware of the situations they can cause with a vehicle. In my personal
experience my drivers ed teacher showed the class videos of
wrecks and how they effected those peoples lives.

The
steps one would need to take to reduce the number of deaths related
to driving is making oneself aware of the rules of the road and
committing to abide by them. Pay attention when you are driving and
keep all predictable distractions put away.

I
have had experience of being in a car accident before. One night I
was at my boyfriend’s house and it began to snow heavily. I knew
that I must drive very carefully because I wouldn’t want to hurt
anyone else or myself. However, when I was coming up a steep incline
my vehicle got stuck; I pulled off the road and turned on my flashers
and called my dad to come help me. While I was waiting on my dad’s
help a lady, who happened to be intoxicated rear ended me and kept
driving forward dragging her truck all the way up the side of my car.
I was terrified, it was dark, and my car was against the guard rail
now and that’s all that was stopping my car from falling off the
embankment. During this accident I experienced very irresponsible
behavior and I understood why I was taught drivers ed before
being eligible for my driver’s license.

The
steps that I can take to be a better driver is to be aware of my
surroundings and make sure that I follow the rules of the road. Also,
if I notice someone around me driving recklessly, I can pull over and
call someone to help me stop their actions. My younger brother
currently has his permit and I can help him by showing him what I
have learned in my four years of driving a vehicle as safely as
possible.