Name: Lizbeth Lopez
From: Hanford, California
Votes: 0
First
Time Driver
I
remember
the first time my mother took me driving. Mother explained where the
gas, brake pedal were, those two items were very important to
remember when I was driving. Holding the wheel with two hands and
eyes on the mirrors and road. I started very slow, then stepped on
the gas pedal with very caution to make sure I was able to stabilize-
the wheel on how fast the car was going. Next day’s training, as
she handed me
the
keys, she said that I should never forget that I could easily kill
someone
with a car, including myself, if I was not a safe driver. I
took
those words to heart and listened, for once, to all the
instructions
and guidance that my parents gave me, including
enrolling
me in a drivers ed course. Driver
education
taught me so much more than what I simply needed to pass
the
permit test. Drivers ed showed me the consequences of
unsafe
driving and how quickly a fatal accident could occur,
especially
because I was an inexperienced or distracted driver.
Having
the knowledge of the rules of the road and learning how to
operate
a car under the supervision of a trained expert increases the
likelihood
that a person will develop safe driving habits so that the
chances
of fatal accidents will decrease.
While
there are several steps to reduce the number of deaths from
driving
each year, including greater awareness and enforcement of
drunk
driving laws, the single biggest thing that can be done is to
ensure
that every licensed driver is properly trained on how to
operate
a car safely. Second, if people cannot stop using cellphones
in
the car while driving voluntarily, then there should be technology
that
inhibits all cell phone functions except being able to make an
emergency
call. This need to become standard. Driving is a skill that
cannot
be multitasked. Driving already requires your body and your
Mind.
I
think
it goes without saying that the biggest thing anyone can do to
become
a better and safer driver is to put their phone on “do not
disturb”
before buckling their seat belt. Second, always try to be
a
defensive driver. Pay attention to what you are doing but pay
attention
to all of the other cars in your driving circle, so that
you
can react quickly if necessary. Third, follow the rules of the
road
and obey the speed limit. Driving too fast can be a dangerous
distraction.
Finally, I think we can help others when we are
passengers
in their car, by praying for our safety, encouraging them
to
drive safely, and pointing out if they are being unsafe. No one
wants
to lose a friend or family member because of careless driving. Be
safe out there, drive with caution, no drinking and driving, buckle
up.
