Name: Halley Mendiola Lowdermilk
From: Flagstaff, AZ
Votes: 0
Defense is the
Offense by Halley Lowdermilk
When I was in
elementary school, my family was involved in a four car wreck, which
resulted in a truck on top of our minivan. I remember standing on the
sidewalk feeling as if my entire body was vibrating and a woman
asking my mother if she had seen what happened. My mother informed
her that we had just been hit by another car that had flipped over
the divider in the road. Following the wreck I was informed that the
stretch of road we had been on was accident prone. Flash forward to
high school, I was anxious to start driving. I took every precaution
possible, read every word of my online drivers ed, and asked
questions whenever I had any doubts. Even before I could start
driving I still practiced car safety. I always required that my
friends wore seatbelts, that balloons stayed out of the driver’s
field of vision, turned off any light when asked, and respected the
driver’s wishes to turn down the radio- or stop talking so loudly.
As texting became
more popular I assisted my mom with responding on her Blackberry, so
naturally, as a passenger, I offer to look up directions, answer
messages, or change the music on the driver’s phone so that
distraction is eliminated. As a driver, I put my phone on do not
disturb while driving, and instead of texting I will use Siri to make
a call if it is really that important. I also make it clear to my
passengers that I may ask for quiet or tell them if the music is too
loud, or for them to calm down if they are being too rambunctious.
Despite all the precautions I take, I still think it is hard driving
knowing that other people aren’t as cautious of a driver as I am.
Slowing down at yellow lights, making eye contact with pedestrians,
checking blindspots and mirrors, using blinkers all seem like common
sense to me, but I have been a passenger in countless cars where the
driver has ignored these actions altogether. If people were educated
on how to be a defensive driver whilst learning the rules of the
road, practicing safe road etiquette would become second nature.
Educating drivers of the rules of the road is one important aspect of
reducing accidents. Another important part of drivers ed is
fostering good habits. I was required to practice driving with an
adult for 6 months after receiving my permit in order to get my
license, however, my friends that were 18+ did not need to spend any
time with a driving instructor, nor did they need to wait to take
their driving test. Even after 6 months of diligent practice I wasn’t
quite ready to take on long drives or freeways, and I was even
grateful for the no 21 and under passenger rule. I spent that whole
year after receiving my permit practicing defensive driving and
building my skills as a confident driver, but I can’t say the same
for my friends who got their license with virtually no practice
experience. I personally benefited from driving with an instructor
that was able to point out weaknesses and tailor practice to my
needs.
