Name: Eljin Rhymes
From: Tallahassee, Florida
Votes: 0
11/30/19
Scholarship Essay
Why
Driving Safety is important
Safe driving is one
of the single most highly debated topics worldwide and every
precautionary action drives us closer towards that reality. Although
I have yet to be in a car-related accident, my family members have
experienced it and lived to tell the tale, fortunately. My brother
recently was in a car crash that was caused by another driver texting
on their phones. He was able to swerve out of harm’s way of the
initial vehicle, but unfortunately, he crashed in the sidewall on the
highway where he sustained damage to his lower back. From this
experience, I realize the imperative need for safety tips for
drivers, old and new. My name is Eljin Malik Rhymes and I am a
freshman at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. I plan to
major in Industrial Engineering, which deals with the optimization of
complex processes or systems and specializes in Forensic Engineering
as a career. Industrial engineers work to eliminate waste of time,
money, materials, man-hours, machine time, energy and other resources
that do not generate value. Forensic Engineering is the investigation
of materials, products, structures or components that fail or do not
operate or function as intended, causing personal injury or damage to
property.
The
standard Safe Practices for Motor Vehicle Operations defines
defensive driving skills as “driving to save lives, time, and
money, in spite of the conditions around you and the actions of
others.” This definition is taken from the National safety
council’s defensive driving course. It is a form of training for
motor vehicle drivers that goes beyond mastery of the rules of the
road and the basic mechanics of driving. It aims to reduce the risk
of collisions by anticipating dangerous situations, despite adverse
conditions or the mistakes of others. This can be achieved through
adherence to a variety of general guidelines, such as following the
assured clear distance ahead and two-second rules, as well as the
practice of specific driving techniques. Some motorists describe
defensive driving as “driving as if everyone else on the road were
drunk.”
The
history of safe driving was developed by a program called the Driver
example Program that was developed in 1964 by Chris Imhoff of the
National Safety Council. The program instituted a Defensive Driving
Course. Defensive Driving Courses along with Instructor Development
Courses were offered beginning 1964 and 1965, typically through
corporate sponsorships. A few general principles include controlling
your speed, looking ahead and expecting the unexpected, and being
alert and distraction-free.
Steps
have been taken towards making driving safer for everyone on the
road. Several government agencies, non-profit organizations, and
private schools have launched specialty courses that improve the
public’s driving skills. In the United States a few of the familiar
courses in defensive driving include Alive at 25, DDC or Defensive
Driving Course, Coaching the Mature Driver, Attitudinal Dynamics of
Driving, Professional Truck Driving, and DDC for Instructors.
Concerning this, the government has launched an active airbag and
seat belt safety campaign that encourages high visibility
enforcement.
In
addition to improving one’s driving skills, many U.S. states
provide an incentive to complete an approved defensive driving course
by offering mandated insurance discounts or a way to make a traffic
ticket from one’s driving record. In some instances, these courses
are referred to as traffic school or defensive driving school. States
with the biggest incentives include Arizona, California, Florida,
Nevada, New Jersey, New York, and Texas. Several private provides
offer a variety of courses. The methods and styles vary.
I
believe I would be an excellent choice for the Safe Driving
Scholarship because I embrace the company of others well and value
the community for which I am a part of through safe driving advocacy.
My values have been instilled into me by my mother and those of who
have been mentors, educators, and coaches to me throughout my life.
Of all things, I value my spiritual connection to the Creator, my
family, and the friendships that I have developed over the years. I
also value the life lessons that I have learned through my
participation in sports, community service, and those purposeful
lessons that were built into every summer program that I attended
since age five. I know that everything in life happens for a
reason—even the seemingly bad things—and it is what makes me who
I am today. In summary, I can truly say that, with the love and
support of a host of family, friends, educators, coaches, and
mentors. I am well-prepared to take on the rigors of college life and
look forward to becoming a responsible leader and productive role
model in my community. With this, I ask that you help me reach my
dreams, for the betterment in society.
