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Driver Education Initiative – In the Driver’s Seat Essay

Name: Terri Mulligan
From: Lake Elsinore, California
Votes: 0

Terri Mulligan

In
the Driver’s Seat” Essay


Everyday
millions of people are on the road driving. Those who drive including
myself are held with the responsibility of keeping ourselves and
those around us safe on the road. According to the Association for
Safe International Road Travel over 1.25 million people die from car
crashes each year. Many of us are not aware of the overwhelming
amount of deaths that occur due to careless or irresponsible driving.
In order to be a safe driver for ourselves and for those around us
drivers ed is vital and a monumental thing to complete as a
driver.


Driver’s
ed is important for reducing the number of deaths and educating
driver’s on how to be safe and smart while on the road. When
completing drivers ed we are taught about how to be a safe, smart,
and attentive driver. Many of the top reasons for deaths related to
driving is texting and driving or drinking and driving, which those
who complete drivers ed are also educated about. Personally, in my
own drivers ed course I was shown various clips and videos about
texting and driving and how dangerous it is, and I was shown multiple
videos of how texting and driving or drinking and driving has
negatively affected various individuals today. Drivers ed teaches
drivers and gives them the skills to be safe on the road and
emphasizes the importance of being a safe driver which overall
significantly reduces deaths as statistics show.


There
are various steps that drivers can take to become a safer driver and
to reduce the number of deaths from car crashes. One, obeying traffic
rules and regulations such as not running stop lights/traffic lights,
not speeding, wearing seatbelts and more. Two, refraining and
avoiding texting and driving and drinking and driving would
significantly reduce deaths as these are one of the top two ways in
which deaths occur regarding driving. Staying off electronical
devices is vital when driving as taking your eyes off the road for
one second is dangerous just as driving under the influence is as
well. Overall following all of traffic rules/regulations and being an
attentive driver would reduce deaths and would create a safe driving
environment for everyone.


There
are various instances in which I have experienced family/friends
driving irresponsibly or where I have experienced or was involved in
a car accident. When friends, neighbors, or family are driving I
witness texting and driving, speeding/tailgating, not stopping at
traffic lights/stop signs and much more. There have been a couple
times where I have experienced a car accident. One of the car
accidents my mom and I were rear ended as the roads were extremely
slippery from the rain. Another accident occurred when a driver’s car
hydroplaned and hit the side of our car. Overall, educating
ourselves on driving (such as drivers ed) and being aware
and attentive while on the road will and to be a better and safer
driver for ourselves and those around us.