Name: Sarah Stamer
From: Flagstaff, Arizona
Votes: 0
What if you could change your life or someone else’s life in an
instant? It turns out that you can every time you get behind the
wheel. Having the proper training to make sure you will be safe on
the road is critical. Knowing what you’re doing as a driver could
be the difference between life and death, for both yourself and all
others that drive. Many accidents that occur on a daily basis can be
boiled down to one main cause: drivers not paying attention. One way
to eliminate distractions is to set the music channel or
entertainment settings before you drive. Or, if you can, change it at
a red light, but make sure you’re still paying attention to the
traffic around you. Another way to stay focused is to make sure that
you are awake and alert enough to drive. This can include drinking
alcohol, but it can also include a lack of sleep or driving for
prolonged periods without stopping to reenergize. I had a minor
accident in a parking lot as a relatively new driver. I pulled into a
spot and heard a crunching noise. I pulled in and out of the spot a
few times. I scratched the other car, but my car had a dent in it. I
learned that you should try to get a parking spot that isn’t tight
and make sure that others parked well in the spots next to you before
you pull in. Some of my friends and family have not made the best
decisions on the road, mainly because they’re in a hurry to get
somewhere. A way to stay safe on the roads is to leave plenty of time
so that way, you don’t have to make risky decisions or go over the
speed limit to get where you need to go. Another way is being sure
that your music, other entertainment and/or climate control is set
before you drive. You can also be a helpful passenger by offering to
change the entertainment for the driver and not distracting them but
keeping them alert too. You can demonstrate good driving habits to
others in hopes that they will implement them when they hit the road.
When you help, others learn the best ways to drive safely, and that
will create a ripple effect of safety that can make the roads better
for everyone.
