Name: Presley Vaughn
From: London, Kentucky
Votes: 0
11/30/2019
In the Driver’s Seat Essay
Driving Today for A Safer
Tomorrow
I am nineteen years old. I have been dreaming about driving since I
was able to ride a bike. The thought of it always scared me, because
I saw how easy it was to wreck; whether it was caused by nature,
oneself, or another driver. I myself was involved in a car accident
when I was 7 years old. I had just won a pageant and we were on our
way home. A man in his truck, adjacent to the right of us at an
intersection, had his right blinker on with the intention to turn
right, but decided last minute to turn left just as we were
approaching him. We immediately T-boned the driver before we knew
what was happening, and all I can remember is everything in the car
flying forward into the dashboard and front windshield, including my
newly won crown. I was so scared because my mother was scared and
crying, and I had never seen her scared before. That experience, to
this day, has led me to be the safest “mom-driver” of my friend
group. Safe driving has become my number one priority. I always look
the other way before going through an intersection, even if I have
the green light, because people can be unpredictable. I personally
enjoy having the title of being the “mom-driver” of my friend
group. Being a responsible driver means always being cautious (but
not anxious), always willing to give a ride to a friend in need
(especially when they themselves can’t drive), and being prepared
for the worst driving conditions. I represent this by keeping a
blanket in my car in case my car breaks down in the winter, making
sure my phone is charged in case I get into a wreck in a vacant area
or in case I get a call about someone needing a ride and choosing not
to drink and drive. Additionally, I
think a good way to teach young and approaching drivers about driver
safety is to show them what happens when you aren’t safe, which is
what taught me. Kentucky in particular is very good about this. My
high school would even do a mock car-crash before our annual Prom to
teach students about responsible driving, and especially not to drive
while under the influence. Showing students first-hand consequences
was beneficial, because they even got to witness the consequences of
what the families of the victims had to experience afterwards, and
what the irresponsible driver had to live with for the rest of their
lives. Being educated is the first step to being responsible, and I
believe understanding how deaths can occur as a result of
irresponsible driving, and showing the consequences afterwards, is
the most realistic way of teaching young drivers to be cautious,
prepared, and dependable.
