Name: Paige Johnson
From: West Fargo, ND
Votes: 0
Paige
Johnson
Drivers ed is critical to ensure that the roads have the safest
drivers possible. In my own experience with drivers ed class,
I learned the importance of becoming a safe driver, how to be a safe
driver, and the potential consequences of not being a safe driver.
The stories I heard in the class—from guest speakers,
documentaries, my teacher and other classmates—are stories I often
look back on when making a decision while driving. Should I eat this
sandwich I just bought on the way home? Or would it be safer to wait
for the 10 minutes it takes to reach home? Should I tell my friend to
buckle up? Or should I let them make their own decisions? As a
driver, you are forced to make decisions all the time, and it is my
time in drivers ed class that—to this day—remind me of the
consequences that can result from not making the safe decision.
Drivers ed provides soon-to-be drivers with the tools and
knowledge to make educated and insightful decisions in order for them
to be the safest drivers possible.
Choosing to control the controllables is the first step to reducing
the number of deaths related to driving. Many deaths that occur as a
result of driving are due to little things, or controllables, that
are within our control as drivers. One common distraction, especially
for teenagers, is choosing and changing music while driving. Heading
to school, practice, or driving around with friends, it is always fun
to jam out to your favorite songs. However, this often means reaching
for your phone and scrolling through a playlist, taking your
attention away from the road, and putting yourself and others at
risk. Instead, create a playlist before you leave or choose up “Up
Next” songs to start playing before you change your gear to drive.
Choosing to control the controllables will make each individual safer
drivers ultimately increasing the safety as a whole and reducing the
number of lives we lose related to driving.
I fortunately have not experienced a life altering or tragic car
accident. However, I was once in a minor car accident that provided
me insight on how life threatening larger accidents can be. In my
experience, I was rear ended at a stoplight when the person stopped
behind me took off to soon. Even though the driver had barely pressed
on the gas, the SUV overpowered my small Honda Civic, sending my head
jolting forward. This small accident required a few weeks of
chiropractor visits before I was feeling good as new again. My
experience gave me perspective on how dangerous the consequences of
larger accidents could be. Accidents on the interstate for example,
would likely have much more serious consequences than accidents of a
smaller scale. Realizing the effect of such a small accident, really
put into perspective how important it is to drive safely and educated
to protect the lives of others.
