Name: Katherine Jovanni Taylor
From: Atlanta , Georgia
Votes: 0
Driver
education is essential to safe driving. Growing up with 3 older
siblings I remember hearing them talk about drivers ed class in high
school and how valuable it was to them. I also remember how much they
used to come home telling me things that they had learned in that
class like , “always wait for the pedestrians or they would tell me
about the online games that they were required to play and because of
this I was always excited about taking the class when I got older. I
noticed that they were learning and having fun doing it and I think
that made all of the difference in the world. The unfortunate thing
is drivers ed is not required in many schools anymore and because of
that teens are oblivious to a lot of the risks of the road.
The
number one step to ensure safety on the road would be to cease
texting while driving. I was a perpetrator of a crash because I chose
to look at my cellular device while at a stop light. A fast glance
to my cell resulted in me hitting someone in the back of their car.
The sad part was my 3 year old niece was riding with me that night. I
now know that if I just had waited to get to my destination I would
have avoided the accident. I also have been on the opposite side of
an accident where I was a hit in the back of my car. Some say it’s
Karma, but I say it is a very common but pressing issue that could
happen to anyone.
I
remember one Sunday morning, my mother got the call that my brother
had been in a terrible motorcycle accident in California. He had been
drinking and lost control of his motorcycle and was ejected from the
seat of the bike. As a result, he had many internal and external
wounds. The thought that I might lose my brother taunted me. I
understood the emotional damage that it caused not only him but my
entire family. From that day, I vowed that I would never drink and
drive.
Now
at age of 22 as a current at-risk driver, I know it is my duty to be
as careful as possible on the road. With that, here are some steps
that I put in place to insure my safety and the safety of those
around me; If I must communicate on the phone I will always use the
hands free installation in my car; I will not eat while driving so
that both hands can be free; I will keep my eyes on the road at all
times just in case an abrupt stop happens. As a result of my
experiences I now am a bit paranoid. However, I am using this
paranoia as a vehicle to make sure I stay alert so I and anyone who
is riding with me can get home safe.
