Driver Education Initiative – In the Driver’s Seat

In
the Driver’s Seat

I
can still remember the only car accident I have ever gotten into like
it was yesterday. My best friend was driving myself and a couple of
other friends to get ice cream for my birthday, a deer ran in front
of the car and everything happened so fast. She swerved and lost
control, the car began spinning and circles and I realized in that
moment my life flashed before my eyes. Then the car slammed into a
rock wall on the side of the road and just as fast as the nightmare
had begun it was over. Thankfully, we all made it out unscathed (even
the deer), but that experience completely transformed the way I look
at road safety.

I
believe drivers ed could have stopped this situation from
happening. My friend was not driving recklessly, however, she had
little experience driving more than one passenger. She also was never
taught what to do in the situation of a deer running in front of a
car. I believe drivers ed would have given her the
understanding and experience she needed to handle this situation
calmly and adequately. This is why I believe everyone who obtains a
driver’s license should be required to take a drivers ed
course beforehand. I know several people who do not know basic rules
of the road because they have never been taught and they never cared
enough to do their research. Requiring a drivers ed course
would eliminate many accidents that have occurred from ignorance of
the rules of the road.

Another
important aspect of being safe on the road is refraining from phone
usage. Driving a car is a very important task that requires the
driver’s full attention. When a driver takes their eyes off of the
road for even a second their chances of getting in a deadly accident
increases dramatically. Being an attentive driver is essential in
creating a safe environment for everyone involved. Phones have no
business being handled by drivers because they can only cause harm.

Finally, to keep myself and
others safe I always ensure that everyone who is in my car or that
I’m riding with has their seatbelt on. I have always believed that
seatbelts were very important, however after the accident I have
become more aware of the fact that life threatening situations can
happen so fast and a seatbelt dramatically decreases the chances of
serious injury. I also ensure that everyone I ride with feels
comfortable driving the amount of people in the car before they start
driving. This is because my friend is now an amazing driver, so I
believe the accident was mainly caused by her being uncomfortable
with the situation and not being educated enough on road safety.