Name: Kelsey Wood
From: Amherst, New York
Votes: 0
The
first time I ever got behind the wheel, my father taught me one of
the most important things to remember while driving. He said, “You
see all those yellow lines?” He pointed to the parking spot lines,
“All of those are potential accidents.” As we drove around the
parking lot avoiding the lines, he emphasized the importance of being
responsible behind the wheel. The words my father taught me, remind
me that a car can be more than a transportation tool, it can be a
weapon. I took drivers ed in addition to my parents’
teachings and it helped me learn how ruthless the road can really be.
Trainers emphasize the importance of your own actions in managing the
safety of yourself and others. Just knowing the rules of the road
aren’t enough when it comes to a fatal accident.
Steps
to reduce driving related deaths can include the IPDE (Identify,
Predict, Decide, Execute) process, making a habit out of practicing
safety precautions and being properly trained on how to operate a
motor vehicle. The IPDE process can save lives by teaching you to
identify hazards and make educated decisions before they become
potential threats. Safety precautions are a basic necessity of
driving. A driver should not be distracted by a cell phone. Driving
should mandate all of your attention because safety is what’s
important, not your Facebook status. Distracted driving accidents are
very common so by putting down your cell phone and focusing on the
road, you can potentially save lives. Other safety precautions like
seat belts and following the speed limit are non-negotiable.
Participating in a drivers ed course benefits you in that it
teaches you all of these things from a professional with real
experience. The only outcome of drivers ed is gaining positive
knowledge on safe driving.
From my own experience, I know the effects of irresponsible driving.
Late at night on my way home from a night out with my friends, I
drove my car off the side of the road into a ditch. Something I am
not proud of however; it has proven to be a powerful learning
experience for me. I now know the weight your actions carry when
operating a car and the impact that it can have. Another experience,
taught me that carelessness is a killer.
Being
a better and safer driver is something that I encourage everyone to
do. Having only a portion of educated drivers out there is not enough
when the risk is so high. Steps to follow would be to first and
foremost, take a drivers ed course. This combined with
following the rules of the road, practicing safety precautions, and
being a defensive driver will help to make the road a safer place.
Personally, I plan on sharing my stories to help educate others and
emphasize the need for driver awareness. I believe that everyone has
the opportunity to reduce the number of driving related deaths.
