Name: Jaelin Herault
From: Gatineau, Quebec
Votes: 0
In
The Driver’s Seat
Before
I get into my essay, I’d like to briefly introduce myself.
My
name is Jaelin Herault, I am currently a second year, full time
student at carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. I am in
the Psychology BA Honours program with a minor in disability studies.
Once I have completed my undergraduate at Carleton University
plan
on attending McGill University for my MA Degree and becoming a
counselling Psychologists.
I
believe that the importance of drivers ed in reducing the
amount of deaths due to driving is a significant component when
learning how to drive. Drivers ed helps introduce new drivers
to the rules and laws of driving, helping such new drivers be
prepared and understand the do’s and don’ts when driving, people
can take what they learnt from their drivers ed course with
them every time they get behind the wheel, which can go a long way in
reducing the amount of deaths caused by driving. Drivers ed
thoroughly covers the attitudes and the right morals an individual
should possess when driving in the sense of knowing not to drive
carelessly and to be aware of your own actions and the ways it can
affect those around you while driving. Drivers ed also helps
new drivers obtain practical tips, skills and resources to
effectively adapt to driving safely on the road such things include
looking out for blindspots, always checking your mirrors, and even
the little things like always adjusting your seat to suit your
driving needs and or comfortability. There is a wide range of topics
to be covered in drivers ed, and to say nonetheless, teaching
new drivers the importance of the risks and going over the proper
techniques of driving can help mold an individual’s perception and
importance on being a safe driver.
Despite
the fact that such topics of being under the influence while driving,
no use of cell phones while driving, and or any type of distracting
event is discussed through drivers ed, it still seems
prevalent today that some individuals are unfortunately still
engaging in such risky behaviours while behind the wheel, but there
are many ways individuals can take part in preventing deaths related
to driving and the steps that can be taken can include individuals
paying attention to their surroundings, as it seems that a fair
amount of drivers disregard the right of way to pedestrians, or fail
to acknowledge checking their blindspots for other vehicles or
pedestrians. Paying close attention to those things can go a long way
in preventing a fatality due to driving.
Speeding
is another issue, where individuals either simply don’t pay
attention to the speed limit, or like to engage in going over the
limit even when knowing what the speed limit is. Paying attention to
the roads speed limits and going at the proper limit itself can help
reduce the amount of deaths that occur due to driving.
Drivers
should always ensure their own safety and wear their seatbelts at all
times as it is not only your own driving you should be careful of,
but also the driving of those around you.
Individuals
being aware to not use their brights when oncoming vehicles approach
them at night as it is blinding just as much as it is distracting for
other drivers, and easy things such as creating a playlist on hand so
you do not need to engage in using your phone while driving, and
putting it on do not disturb, or turning it off while driving can
reduce your distractions while driving.
If
you are under the influence, it is always good to plan ahead of time
to ensure you have a safe means of transportation to get to your
destinations. Asking a parent or trusted loved one is always a
reliable solution, or simply calling a taxi too. If you see someone
under the influence, stepping in and offering to call a taxi for them
instead of allowing them to get behind the wheel can make all that
much more of a difference too.
coming
to a complete stop at stop signs, and always signaling when turning
especially on highways all can play a large role in reducing the
amount of deaths related to driving as well.
Just
recently I was in a car accident, which is why this scholarship
genuinely has significance to me. I was driving my son to daycare in
the morning, and when I had gone to turn onto the street of his
daycare provider, another driver did not obliged to the stop sign in
front of them, while going 60 in a 30 speed limit zone and had hit
the left side of my vehicle which just so happened to be my side of
the car. Luckily it was not the side that my son was on. That
experience alone was fairly traumatizing especially knowing my son
could have been impacted due to the careless speeding and the failure
of the other driver to acknowledge the stop sign.
As
someone who drives everyday, I ensure that my phone is nowhere near
me in order to avoid any distractions, I pay attention to my
surroundings such as signs, speed limits, and make myself aware of
blindspots. Ensuring I always signal when switching lanes is another
way that I make it so I am a safer driver, always wearing my
seatbelt, and ensuring that all the passengers in my vehicle are as
well, and keeping track of my speed limit to make sure it suits that
of the areas speed limit that I’m in.
Regardless
of the results, I’d like to say thank you for giving me the
opportunity to speak on a topic that I genuinely value and can relate
to. I hope people can take something away from this essay, and even
improve their driving in one or more of the ways I have suggested.
