Preventing Tragedy: The Power of Drivers Ed

Dean
Rhoda

Preventing
Tragedy: The Power of Drivers ed

Car
accidents cause nearly 34,000 fatalities annually, and the numbers do
not show any signs of decreasing. Driving-related deaths can easily
be prevented when people follow the protocol of the road and know
that they have lives at stake. By staying alert, remembering my
drivers ed, and emphasizing the dangers of unsafe driving,
I can help prevent driving deaths and look out for fellow drivers.

I
took drivers ed. going into my sophomore year of high school. This
required me to attend a two-week class for three hours each day
before I even got behind the wheel of a car. This allowed me to learn
the rules of the road, defensive driving techniques, and what to do
when the unexpected happens. When one takes a drivers ed course,
he will learn how to stay safe on the road and pass that knowledge on
to others. Once people acquire driver safety skills, they will be
aware of their surroundings, thus reducing the number of
driving-related deaths each year.

My
drivers ed. teacher showed me and my classmates several video
clips of the consequences of people driving distracted, or under the
influence of drugs and alcohol. We saw interviews of people who had
lost loved ones due to preventable situations such as these. This
impacted me by emphasizing how serious driving truly is and the
importance of staying alert. In the vehicle, you have your life and
the lives of everyone with you in your hands. It is my responsibility
to ensure that I get myself and other people to their destinations
safely.

The
one time I have personally witnessed others drive recklessly was when
my boys’ swim team was toilet papering the girl swimmers’ houses
for sectionals. On our way to each place, a few of the drivers went
twenty miles over the speed limit and randomly switched in and out of
lanes. It made me uncomfortable because I follow the rules of the
road and I did not like how they were encouraging me to do the same,
as the consequences can be deadly. On a daily basis, I have seen
people run red lights, turn without their right of way, and speed.
What I learned in my drivers ed. classes helps me in similar
situations because I know defensive driving techniques. Hopefully,
people will follow my lead when I model safe driving habits for them.