A Lesson I Will Never Forget

Driving is perceived as an activity which grants one with independence by many people. Being able to drive implies the ability to travel to places of learning or work, or even socialize with friends without the help of other people. But the act of driving is not merely a privilege. Each time we get into the car, decisions are made which will not only impact our own life but the lives of all the people surrounding us. This is the reason why it is vital to educate oneself on the topic of driving. There was one instance which totally changed my perception on driving. In high school, one of my classmates got into a car accident and died. Though I didn't personally know him, everyone at school was shocked by the news. It was hard to accept that someone whom we have seen walk the same halls and attend the same classes is no longer around us. Knowing how much everyone felt the loss and how it affected their lives helped me understand how swiftly things could happen.

Driver education is one of the most effective methods of decreasing traffic fatalities, as it teaches individuals to be prepared for things that they may encounter in the traffic environment. Knowing the laws of the road is essential, yet knowing the reasoning behind such laws is more essential. Driver education programs teach novice drivers to identify risks, keep safe following distance, adapt to different weather conditions, and remain focused on the road. Furthermore, driver education programs explain the risks of distracted driving, speeding, and driving while impaired. Many ways of decreasing fatalities caused by drivers exist. First and foremost is the removal of distractions. Distracting oneself by checking one's phone for only a couple of seconds can result in losing focus and getting into a serious accident. Keeping within the legal speed limit is an easy yet effective way of keeping all pedestrians and other drivers safe since higher speeds mean less reaction time and more dangerous collisions. Wearing a seatbelt at all times, not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and not driving when feeling very drowsy are some other good practices that have proven very useful.

Additionally, everyone should be ready to voice their concerns about dangerous driving practices. If your friend drives too fast, uses his phone while driving, and takes some risks on the road, you should tell him that nothing is more important than one’s life. People often say that accidents may happen to other families or communities, but I understand that anything terrible can happen since one of my fellow students was killed. I am planning to become a civil engineer in the future. Civil engineers take up the task of designing and making better the roads and highways that we travel on daily. Even though good designs can make the roads safe, every person who drives has his or her part to play in ensuring safe driving. This has helped me realize that road safety is dependent on two things.

Losing my classmate at my high school is an incident that will stick with me forever. Even though there is nothing I can do to change the situation, it helps me learn and make decisions based on that experience. I understand that all decisions that you make on your journey have an impact and just one can affect many people’s lives forever. In the future, as a civil engineer, I am looking forward to contributing to the development of safer transportation systems and being a safe driver myself. This incident made me look at the decisions of people in an entirely different perspective. It is easy to assume that a short journey or being on the road for a short while does not matter much, but this is not true. An instant of inattentiveness, impatience, or carelessness could ruin someone's life forever. 

This is why I feel that safe driving needs to be practiced as a lifelong skill and not only when someone is getting ready for his/her driver's license examination. No matter how many years of experience one has as a driver, he/she has to keep reminding himself/herself about the significance of safe driving. As I continue my education and work toward becoming a civil engineer, I hope to make a positive impact on my community. Civil engineers have the opportunity to design roads, intersections, and transportation systems that improve safety for everyone. Features such as better road layouts, clearer signs, safer intersections, improved lighting, and well-designed crosswalks can help reduce accidents and protect drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians. While no road can completely prevent every accident, thoughtful engineering combined with responsible driving can save lives. 

The death of my school mate helped me understand the value of life and how one should never underestimate road safety. It is my wish to learn from this experience and make sure I make good decisions when driving and also influence others in doing so. Drivers education provides individuals with information about driving but it is only through our actions that we bring a difference. When every driver takes the responsibility of being alert, obeying the rules and respecting other road users, then we will be able to create safer communities.