Name: Gabriella Fox
From: Suwanee, GA
Votes: 0
Driver
Education Initiative Award – Scholarship Opportunity
In
the Driver’s Seat
“Great
Driver = Responsibility + Awareness”
Gabriella
Fox – Lawrenceville, GA
Responsibility
is the opportunity or ability to act independently and make decisions
without authorization.
Awareness
is the ability to directly know and perceive, to feel, or to be
cognizant of events. More broadly, it is the state of being conscious
of something.
To be a great driver, you will need
to do a lot of things and you need to remember a lot of things. Two
of the main things needed to become a great driver are responsibility
and awareness.
Responsibility of yourself and those in the vehicle with you and
awareness of your surroundings and other drivers. There are many
other things, but these two things should ALWAYS be in the forefront
of your thoughts. If you transport others, you are responsible for
them. If you are behind the wheel of a vehicle, you must constantly
be aware of everything and everyone around you.
Most
teens believe they are ready to drive simply because others around
them are driving or because they want to be cool and drive to school
so everyone sees them. This is fine, well, and good if you go into
learning to drive in the appropriate way. Drivers ed helps
here. Driver’s
education is important and can help reduce the number of deaths as a
result of driving because
you begin by learning the rules of the road. You learn the signs and
what they mean, you learn the rules that apply to different signs and
you learn the rules that don’t necessarily have a sign with them.
A good example is when driving on the interstate. There are rules
that apply on the highway that may not have a sign. For example, how
to enter and/or exit the highway isn’t a sign, but there is a rule
around it. All of these things are things that you learn in Driver’s
Education BEFORE getting behind the wheel. Drivers ed is
not just about learning to drive the car, it’s about learning the
rules in order to keep everyone as safe as possible. Students are
taught everything involving driving: signs, rules, driving and
texting, drinking or doing drugs as well as many other things. So
much goes into drivers ed and learning all these areas help
to make teens better, more cognizant drivers and therefore better,
safer drivers.
There
are many things that can be done to reduce the number of deaths
related to driving:
-
Being
and remaining alert and aware of surroundings -
Being
a defensive driver who watches other drivers as well as watching
your driving -
Being
sure to not text and drive -
Never
drink and drive -
Never
do drugs (illicit or prescription drugs) and get behind the wheel of
a vehicle -
Be
sure car is in drivable condition to prevent accidents
Doing
these things will help reduce and/or prevent the number of deaths
relating to driving.
Although
I have never been in a car accident, I have had a friend, who I’ve
known since I was 4 years old, be in a car accident where she almost
lost her life. She had to be pulled from the car before it caught on
fire and she broke her leg, her arm and was in the hospital behind
that car accident; she was a track student and they thought she broke
her back as well but today she is fine, thank goodness. I learned
from that what I don’t want to do when I get behind the wheel of a
car. My family members are really good drivers who drive
responsibly. For the last 4 years, we’ve driven out-of-town to go
to college football games that my brother played in and it was an 8 ½
hour drive each way—every weekend. Thankfully, we never had any
accidents during all of that driving—my parents are safe, aware
drivers.
I
always think about when I get my driver’s license (I have my
permit), the things that I can do to be as safe as possible. My
first thought is to put my phone in my purse and don’t touch it
until I get to my destination. Georgia law prohibits us from holding
our cell phone or even having it on our leg while driving—not
texting and driving! I also will not have a lot of passengers in the
car when I’m driving; only my twin brother and me. I will not
speed, nor will I tailgate or drive recklessly. I won’t play loud,
distracting music or allow loud music when I’m driving. Finally, I
will do my best to always be a defensive driver; I will watch the
other driver. I know some things you can’t control, but if you are
consciously aware of your driving, you are a better, safer driver and
safety is key for everyone on the road.
