Name: Alexander Daniel Varsanyi
From: Regina, Saskatchewan
Votes: 0
Having the opportunity to drive should not be taken for granted. I
see it as a real privilege, and many benefits lie within. It gives a
person the ability to commute as needed; help others out; and freedom
to travel to many places within this great big world. It is of utmost
importance that when a person gets in the driver’s seat, as
exciting it seems, that they are cognizant of the responsibility that
comes with it. While the benefits are plentiful, unfortunately there
is also an ability to injure or kill someone.
Drivers ed
is crucial to helping reduce the number of driving-related deaths
throughout the world. Discussions and training with regards to: rules
of the road; how to safely operate a vehicle at all times and in
ever-changing weather conditions; and to never operate a vehicle in a
reckless manner, or while impaired, are fundamental.
Keeping a very
real and open dialogue within the Drivers ed program, and the
general public as a whole, is key. Incorporating the true stories and
experiences of people that have been effected by, or caused,
driving-related deaths is such a wake-up call. It might be hard to
watch or listen too, it might cause raw emotion, but reviewing this
type of material in Drivers ed does help to get across the
message of the importance to take driving seriously.
Recently our
government insurance company did some TV advertisements that touched
on this as well. People talking on cell phones and driving; speeding;
distracted driving. And they ended with an impactful image of how one
person’s bad judgement can upset another person’s life in the
blink of an eye. These negative actions caused collisions, lives lost
and survivor’s guilt. The ripple effect of the pain is endless.
One day, I got a
ride home with my brother. As we were en-route, my brother’s car
was side-swiped. I remember it was a hard hit, I was scared. We got
out of the car. The other driver was just laughing. He said he had
decided to crank his steering wheel, pinned the gas, totally lost
control of his car and hit my brother’s car so bad it was a
complete write off. We were all thankful no one was hurt. Waiting for
police, the other driver suddenly panicked and wanted to take off. My
brother and I talked him out of doing that, told him it is better to
own up to what happened. Now, four years later, this same kid is a
way better driver.
I try my best to
be a defensive driver, to be proactive instead of reactive. And I am
vocal about it to anyone that will listen. I drive for road
conditions, and do not speed or drive impaired. I use an option that
disables my cellphone while driving. It will not kill me to answer a
text once I am at my destination; but if I answer it while driving I,
or someone innocent, may not arrive at theirs’.
