The Importance of Driver Safety

Alanna
Robinson

2020
Drivers Ed Essay Contest

Safety
while driving is something that has always been important to me and
my family. My mother always tells me, “you’re not driving for
yourself, you have to drive for everyone else too.” That statement
has always confused me, it wasn’t until I began driving myself I
would appreciate it. It taught me that though others are driving
irresponsibly, it is important to be extremely precarious even on
their behalf. Whether I am driving on country, dirt roads or on a
busy interstate, it is important to be precautious while driving and
I am happy that my parents instilled that in me early. 

During
my sophomore year of high school taking drivers ed wasn’t mandatory
but, it should be to all young and upcoming drivers. During that
semester I was taught about many different state laws and
restrictions regarding driving. We watched several educational videos
about how reckless driving can lead to harming yourself and others.
Along with a classroom aspect, we got the chance to practice driving
around our town. Along the way we were educated about the different
signs and what they meant. Drivers Ed is a very important class that
should be mandatory and can help prevent deaths in traffic accidents.
While all accidents can’t be avoided, it is important to prevent
the ones that can be. Many accidents could be avoided if teenagers
and adults were taught about the importance of driver safety. Drivers
Ed for adults and teenagers is an important step in decreasing the
amount of deaths in car accidents. 

After
a school field trip, I was driving home with my friend and it was
raining. Even though I made sure to not be distracted and I drove
very slow, I ended up hydroplaning and totaling two of my rims and
tires. Luckily my friend and I were fine. It was one of the scariest
experiences of my life, time stood still for a moment. It was truly
terrifying. Ever since then, I have been even more careful than ever.
Another instance of an unavoidable accident was when my grandfather
was killed in a car accident before I was born. My mother and aunt
were extremely young when it happened. This is one of the reasons my
mother is so big on driver safety. She lost someone she loved and is
doing her best to teach me the right things so history doesn’t repeat
itself. 

While
I’m not the best driver in the world, I try to be as responsible as
possible. I try to make certain things become habits, such as,
activating my turning signal even when no one is behind me. I always
wear my seatbelt even no matter how far I go, even if I’m driving
down the street. I always stress the importance of wearing a seatbelt
to my friends and I know they get tired of it. Driver Safety is
something that is very important to me.