Name: Samantha Eloy
From: Glassboro, New Jersey
Votes: 0
Samantha
Eloy
Driver
Education Initiative Essay Contest
Until
You Almost Lose It
“You never know how important
something is until you almost lost it.” On Easter morning while
going on my daily runs I faced a traumatizing experience that shaped
and drew an importance to safe driving to me. I almost reached my
designated rest stop where I usually stretch and catch a breather
when I noticed that my foot was tingling, and my shoe was untied. I
was confused because I could recall triple noting my laces before I
began running. Without thinking twice, I moved aside and tied my
shoe; however, as soon as I took a step over there was a 4-car
collision-due to distracted driving- that occurred right where I was
previously standing. I was at a loss for words because in that moment
I realized how close I was to losing my life.
Ever since that day I made it my
number one priority to enforce safe driving and spread the
significance of it. I make myself a better driver by putting my phone
in one of the many trays that are in a car so it is out of my reach
and I will not feel inclined to go on it. Along with that, I set my
phone on Driving Mode that informs people who are attempting to text
or call me that I am driving. Having that setting on my phone makes
me feel responsible knowing that I am decreased the percentage of me
possibly causing a car accident. Another positive outcome that the
mode has is that when it notifies my contacts that I am unable to
reach the phone, it influences them to switch on that mode to their
phone too to be a more responsible driver.
To even become a driver, it is
imperative that driving education courses are taken and a written
test is taken; yet, the value that these modules have aren’t taken
seriously which also results in careless and distracted driving.
Educating drivers is essential in reducing the number of deaths
because it prepares the driver with the necessary tools and knowledge
needed prior to actually driving on the road. If school systems could
stress this importance enough and have disciplinary actions set as
consequences would have a major impact on the amount of people taking
driving education seriously. Living in a generation that is so
attached to technology is our major downfall, and the only way to not
let that be the cause of these deaths would be to disconnect
ourselves from social media when driving. Going on your phone before
driving or going on it during stop signs makes you have the impulse
to want to check it every so often. Stripping away those moments in
between your driving when you want to check the latest new trend can
save your life and another person’s life. The realization of how
important your life is can be known before being so close to losing
it.
