Driver Education Initiative – In The Driver’s Seat

Alexarose
Marcellino

Driver
Education Initiative Award

10/20/19

“In
the Driver’s Seat”

Driving is a privilege every
teenager dreams of. It is the independence and freedom to go anywhere
and do anything that you desire and transport yourself when and where
you wish. Along with this privilege comes a great responsibility that
must be used very carefully, safety is important both for you and the
others drivers on the road. Safety effects not only the way you
operate a vehicle, but, the way you think about driving also. You
have a responsibility to both yourself and other drivers to always be
at your best and give serious attention to how you operate a vehicle.
If at any time you are impaired while operating a vehicle or you
choose not to follow the safety rules of the road it comes with
serious repercussions, it could mean a devastating injury or even
death.

An
important factor given to all new drivers is a drivers ed
class. While not required to attend classes, most parents feel this
is a great way for their teens to become familiar with the rules of
the road and a great introduction into how to operate a vehicle
safely. Most classes require students to attend a certain amount of
hours, take a test, and pass the exam and if done so will allow the
student to receive their license at an earlier age with some
restrictions. While this is very enticing to most students, not all
choose to utilize these classes. I feel a mandatory drivers ed
class would benefit the young driver and help each student become
familiar with the responsibilities necessary to operate a vehicle.
When each student takes these classes car insurance is also given a
reduction in price pleasing both the parent and new driver.

I
recently, after attaining my permit, got in a horrible car accident
with my mother. We were heading less than a ½ mile away from my
house to a local market. A fellow driver was talking on her cell
phone and arguing with her boyfriend. As we were talking and laughing
our way down the very familiar road we had traveled down hundreds of
times before, the car careened into our lane crossing the double
yellow line. It all happened so fast. My mom has many years of
driving experience which is why the police officer said we both
walked away alive. She came at us head on, at the same time my
mother’s reaction was to instinctively turn the wheel to protect me
from harm. Her side of the car took the brunt of the impact. The air
bags went off, filling the interior of the car with smoke and a
burning smell. After we realized what had happened and that we were
both still alive, we tried to get out of the car to assess the
damage. I got out fine, but, my mom’s side was smashed closed. She
was panicking until a passerby came and helped her get out of my
side. While we were assessing the damage the fellow driver that hit
us came up and apologized and said she was on the phone with her
boyfriend having an argument and didn’t realize what she was doing.
Others called the police and soon an ambulance came and took my mom
and I to the hospital. I was fine thanks to her quick turn to save my
side of the car, but she didn’t fare so well and had a concussion
and black and blues on her body. We all walked away from the
accident, but our brand new 3 month old car was totaled. It was a
lesson I learned very well that a classroom could never teach me,
but, this experience coupled with things I learned in driver’s
education class I will not make the same mistakes she did. We almost
lost our lives that day just up the road from my house.

One
step I feel will reduce the number of deaths on the road is taking a
continuing drivers ed class every number of years. This
will refresh the driver’s memory about the rules of the road and
the safe operation of a car. It will also familiarize drivers with
any new rules and laws that come out in between each continuing
education class. If drivers do not attend these classes there will be
repercussions to their license. The second step I feel will help make
the roads safer is to prosecute those who drink and drive or drug and
drive. Driving under the influence of alcohol and narcotics is a
major problem on the road that takes many lives a year, penalties
must be made stiffer, and jail sentences longer, and more licenses
revoked. I shake my head in disbelief as a new driver sometimes
hearing on the news of people’s licenses being revoked 40 or 50
times. I question why is it allowed to get to that point? What does
that tell the new driver? What message does it send to other young
people like me who feel they can make it home from the frat party,
they only live a short distance away, or having a few beers at the
beach and driving home after a day in the sun? If penalties are
stronger, and people aren’t given so many chances it would give
others driver’s a better chance for safety.

Yet another step to reduce
road deaths would be to set up a driving course that allowed new
drivers no matter the age to experience different conditions of
driving. It could be simulated snow, rain, wind, speed, or other
situations experienced on the road every day that one would only
experience with time, but, through this course introduces them to
various situations before they happen. This course may be similar to
a course a police officer uses while training to drive his patrol car
in various situations.

The steps I can take
personally to be a better driver are always obey the traffic signals
and do not speed up at yellow lights and go through red lights. Drive
at the posted speed limits or below. These were put into effect for a
reason, especially around a curve or on certain sections of dangerous
road. I will always use my turn signals and mirrors when changing
lanes so I can notify driver’s around me of my intention to move.
Always be respectful of other driver’s and obey the rules of the
road when deciding the right of way. Passing is only done on the
left, passing on the right can be dangerous. I share the road with
bikes and pedestrians so I must respect their right to be there and
share the road with me. I will never text and drive or talk and drive
because it almost killed me and someone I love. I will never drive
under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Uber and Lyft are great ways
to get a ride if you have no one to call. There are many options to
get home safely now so there is no excuses for not being safe.

I can help other drivers when
they are under the influence by offering to call them a ride or
giving them a ride if I am able. Encourage others to buckle up their
seatbelts. Notify police if you notice a driver that maybe under the
influence of drugs/alcohol or having a medical emergency. Making sure
family and friends are well rested before they drive. Notify other
drivers if you see a light out or a safety issue with their car
because most times they are not aware of it.

Becoming a driver is an
exciting time in a person’s life. It is the taste of freedom that
brings you anywhere at any time you want to go. Along with that
excitement comes a huge responsibility to yourself and others you
share the road with. It is your job to educate yourself on the rules
and safety of the road and operation of your vehicle. A car can be a
blessing or a curse depending on whose hands hold the keys.