On February 14, 2024, I was driving to my basketball game from my friend Halle’s house. I wasn’t on my phone or reaching for anything, but I looked in my side-view mirror to see if my friends were still behind me. It only took a couple of seconds for the car in front of me to slow to a stop while I was looking in the mirror. I slammed on my brakes and tried swerving to avoid the car, but it was too late. The hood of my car was crushed into my windshield. I swerved just enough so that the force of the collision sent my car into the fence on the side of the road. The crash was loud, but everything seemed quiet. I sat there in silence, taking everything in—the shattered windshield, the splintering fence, the disfigured car in front of me. My door opened. “Are you okay?” my friend asked. She helped me out of my blue jeep wrangler that I had for two months before that day—my blue jeep wrangler that was now sitting on the side of White Lake Road, totaled. I was in shock. What did I just do? How did that happen? I have a game to play—I can’t be here. My mind was racing when the Sparta Police arrived. I was overloaded with questions, before my sister drove me to my basketball game. In the days that followed, my mom was constantly on the phone with the insurance company, and I now needed a ride to school. The accident did not only have an impact on me, but it affected my loved ones as well. It is accidents like these that display the importance of driver's education as well as responsible driving.
One of the main reasons that drivers grow accustomed to bad driving habits is that they are so used to nothing bad happening. They glance at their phone or turn to talk to a friend for a couple of seconds, because a couple of seconds isn’t going to hurt anyone. This was the way that I thought before February 14th. I am a living testimony that a couple seconds is all it takes. I was blessed with the opportunity to come out of that accident alive, but not everyone gets that chance. Had I looked up a second later, it could have been a completely different outcome, and I may not be here today. People do not realize the risk involved in reckless driving, so they continue to drive recklessly. Education on this topic is extremely important in the motion to stop it.
Education on driving in general is also severely important in preventing accidents. Individuals who do not take drivers Ed or some sort of driving course are significantly more likely to be involved in an accident. This is due to the lack of education on the rules of the road. Every time I get in the car, I see drivers being ignorant of rules. They pass on the right, they speed, and they don’t use their blinkers. It is rules like those that seem insignificant that, when broken, can cause an unnecessary accident.
A license holder may have passed the written and road tests, but it is putting that knowledge into practice that really counts. I believe that the most valuable part of my new driving experience was the six hours I spent behind the wheel, with my driving instructor, before obtaining my permit. Learning from a professional was extremely beneficial, and I am thankful I had the opportunity to do so. Another valuable part of my new driving experience was driving with my mom and dad. They had a lot of practical insight and constructive criticisms that helped me to become a better driver. Driving with an experienced driver such as a parent is not always what kids want to do, but this is one of the best ways to learn about driving and everything that comes with it.
In conclusion, I believe that driver’s education is a critical necessity in the lives of every driver. In addition to the rules of the road, drivers should be taught about the risks of not following these rules. Countless individuals do not realize the magnitude of their actions, or the consequences they have on themselves and those around them. Practice hours before possession of a license should be mandatory if not strongly recommended. “Practice makes progress” is what I always say, and progress in driving means less accidents on the road. Nobody is perfect, and no amount of education or practice is going to eliminate the number of deaths due to car accidents each year. However, I believe that the more awareness is spread, the more education is given, and the more thought is put into other people rather than our own immediate gratification, the less tragedies will occur.