Name: Alison Brunmeier
From: Mankato, Minnesota
Votes: 0
When I first got behind the wheel with my parents in the car helping
me, they always told me, “ worry about the other drivers before you
proceed even if you have the right away, because there are terrible
drivers out there that are in a hurry and just go no matter the
traffic signal.” Drivers ed helped red flag all the
cautions for when things could go bad, like accidents, and other
risky incidents. My DE teacher showed a lot of videos of crashes and
told us how a lot of deaths happen with technology nowadays with the
new generation of drivers. Drivers ed taught me that to reduce
the deaths within accidents, or anything involving driving is to
watch out for others and always check your blind spots, along with
when crossing an intersection, still look both ways just in case that
one person doesn’t stop.
It’s crazy how many deaths there are these days involving driving.
For these numbers to go down there are multiple things drivers and
parents can do. Drivers that are 16 and over, need to realize the
phone call or text can wait. Many crashed appear because they are
busy with their eyes looking down instead of up. Before the driver
knows, they could look up and realize that they already got in a
crash. In Minnesota, a law was passed in August 2019 that drivers are
not able to hold a device in their hand while driving at any time.
With this law, I believe it has saved many lives but is resulting in
many people’s bank accounts to hurt since police give tickets if
you are caught driving with a phone. Parents can show a good example
for their kids and not go on their phones while driving.
Being 17 years old, I have never been in an accident, but I have seen
my friends, and other adults driving irresponsibly. Most adults will
learn that they shouldn’t drive after they drink, but some adults
think the opposite. When adults drink and drive they’re not only
risking their lives but everyone else that drives around them. My
parents make me proud because I always tell them to call me if they
need a ride no matter the time because it is not worth risking their
life.
For myself to be a better/safer driver, I need to put my phone on do
not disturb, then put it in my glove box and then start driving with
no distractions. To help others become safer, I could create a PSA
and put it out on social media and show all the risks if you drive
irresponsibly and hopefully people will become more aware and will
realize it is not worth the one text back, and will hopefully, change
their actions and start driving with more care. But some may need to
reach help to guide them assistance to help the driver, not wat the
phone.
