Through driving, we immediately change our perspective of our surroundings. We witness the beauty of creation, from trees and landscapes to even animals. (Slow down if you spot a deer!) However, to fully enjoy and partake in the great experience driving can be, we must take proper precautions, as well as educate those around us on how to stay safe on the road. The past few months have shown us that life truly is unpredictable. Just as the spread of a virus is something that can be prevented, so can car-related fatalities, as long as we make the right decisions.
As with most things, ignorance only leads to poor decision making. Let’s say you decide to bake a cake from scratch, but don’t bother to read the recipe. Oh no! You’ve forgotten to add in flour, so now your cake is flat. The same can go for safe driving. No, I’m not saying that driving is a piece of cake (pun intended), but drivers ed allows not only those in control of the vehicle, but also those riding along, to become more aware that every action produces a consequence. Simply put, in driving safe, we keep others safe. Learning the significance of things as basic as yielding to pedestrians, or stopping at a stop sign can possess a greater impact than we may thing. One less reported accident is equal to less lives lost.
Reducing fatalities means much more than telling someone to wear their seatbelt. In any attempt to make change, eagerness needs to be portrayed. One important step towards lessening the number of driving-related deaths is actually possessing a desire to put drivers ed into action. When some think of safe driving habits, one may only ponder on what those driving can do. However, in keeping our roads safe, both pedestrians and drivers alike work together. Pedestrians can help by properly paying attention to traffic signs, while drivers can acknowledge such pedestrians, by maintaining the speed limit, or refraining from distractions.
At around the age of 8, I encountered two car accident experiences. With both, I was actually unaware of what happened. Being the avid reader I was, I was so captivated by the story that I hadn’t noticed our car shifting over 3 highway lanes. Fortunately, I’ve never had any encounters with family members or friends driving irresponsibly. Such has actually motivated me to spread awareness on the impact of drivers ed, and has inspired me to serve as an example of how to behave on the road.
In life, there is always room for improvement. In becoming a better and safer driver, one step that I feel is the most significant, and necessary to discuss, is educating others on safe driving. This may come across as an expected or ‘common’ answer, but education is an immensely powerful tool. Even if I am not to receive this scholarship, I can utilize my essay to spread knowledge to those around me, outside of a textbook or classroom.