When I first started driving in Drivers Ed, I was probably the biggest hazard on the road. I often forgot to turn on my left and right indicators, would make speedy turns, and wouldn’t fully stop at stop signs. I was just really excited to finally get behind the wheel. I’d read the chapters but zoned out in class the first few weeks. However, one morning we didn't have a lecture, we had a guest speaker speak to us.
The speaker began with videos on safe driving that we’d seen in class many times. I wasn’t paying close attention until what I thought was the end of his presentation. The last video that he played was a clip from the news from a few years ago. The clip reported a state trooper that was hit by a distracted driver and was in critical condition for weeks until he eventually passed away. I was upset to hear the story, and knew this was a common issue, but I was still disconnected. However, after the man shut off the video, he looked at all of us with solemn eyes and said something that I will never forget, “You all think that a person who does such a thing could never be you—until it is. I was the one who killed that man.”
Every single one of us in the room instantly shot up. The man told his story through his perspective. He shared how he was a promising young educator who checked a text while driving, not realizing it would cost a life. He continued telling his story for about 30 more minutes. When he left, he warned us to not get distracted while driving and always keep your focus on the road.
Shortly after his presentation was the driving portion of the session. My friends and I were petrified to go on the road after what we had just heard. Usually, we would laugh in the car and engage in conversation with our driver, but not today. We were silent the entire time and just listened to the music and drove. Our instructor said that it was the best driving that any of us have done during our sessions. After that, our driving portion continued to go like that every time until Driver’s Ed ended, because we didn't want to allow ourselves to get distracted.
Once Drivers Education ended, my father finally took me out to ride around the block with him. Before I started drivers ed, the one and only time that he took me driving, I was so bad that he was scared to be in a car with me. He claims it was because we didn’t have an emergency brake. Thinking back, I was pretty bad because I was too distracted by my own thoughts to keep focus on the road. However, when I went on that first drive with my dad after the sessions ended, he was very impressed. That was a lot coming from my dad. I significantly improved from the beginning because I was focused and limited potential distractions. I powered my phone off, turned the music low, and did not engage in small talk while driving.
Eventually, I felt confident enough to book my road test, and I passed on the first try. A few weeks later, I turned 17 and got my license. I was nervous to drive by myself, but still didn't let those thoughts get in the way of me driving safely. To calm my nerves, I picked up my best friend. When she hopped in my car, I noticed that she didn’t put on her seatbelt right away, and I refused to drive until she put on her seatbelt. She said I was acting insane, but I really was not about to risk anything. Since that day, I made 4 rules that my passengers must follow in my car: 1, don't talk louder than the music playing. 2, no tik-toks in my car while I'm driving. 3, always wear a seatbelt and 4, number of passengers equal the number of seatbelts. I take my rules very seriously, and everybody who I drive knows them to a tee.
Since that day in drivers ed, I've taken driving seriously and continue to stay focused on the road. Driving can be a dangerous thing. Every driver should be locked in on the road and know exactly how to use their vehicle before driving the car. Unfortunately, this is not the case and accidents happen very frequently. New drivers need to recognize the importance of safe driving and limiting distractions such as loud noises, internal thoughts, or working the car out.
The speaker began with videos on safe driving that we’d seen in class many times. I wasn’t paying close attention until what I thought was the end of his presentation. The last video that he played was a clip from the news from a few years ago. The clip reported a state trooper that was hit by a distracted driver and was in critical condition for weeks until he eventually passed away. I was upset to hear the story, and knew this was a common issue, but I was still disconnected. However, after the man shut off the video, he looked at all of us with solemn eyes and said something that I will never forget, “You all think that a person who does such a thing could never be you—until it is. I was the one who killed that man.”
Every single one of us in the room instantly shot up. The man told his story through his perspective. He shared how he was a promising young educator who checked a text while driving, not realizing it would cost a life. He continued telling his story for about 30 more minutes. When he left, he warned us to not get distracted while driving and always keep your focus on the road.
Shortly after his presentation was the driving portion of the session. My friends and I were petrified to go on the road after what we had just heard. Usually, we would laugh in the car and engage in conversation with our driver, but not today. We were silent the entire time and just listened to the music and drove. Our instructor said that it was the best driving that any of us have done during our sessions. After that, our driving portion continued to go like that every time until Driver’s Ed ended, because we didn't want to allow ourselves to get distracted.
Once Drivers Education ended, my father finally took me out to ride around the block with him. Before I started drivers ed, the one and only time that he took me driving, I was so bad that he was scared to be in a car with me. He claims it was because we didn’t have an emergency brake. Thinking back, I was pretty bad because I was too distracted by my own thoughts to keep focus on the road. However, when I went on that first drive with my dad after the sessions ended, he was very impressed. That was a lot coming from my dad. I significantly improved from the beginning because I was focused and limited potential distractions. I powered my phone off, turned the music low, and did not engage in small talk while driving.
Eventually, I felt confident enough to book my road test, and I passed on the first try. A few weeks later, I turned 17 and got my license. I was nervous to drive by myself, but still didn't let those thoughts get in the way of me driving safely. To calm my nerves, I picked up my best friend. When she hopped in my car, I noticed that she didn’t put on her seatbelt right away, and I refused to drive until she put on her seatbelt. She said I was acting insane, but I really was not about to risk anything. Since that day, I made 4 rules that my passengers must follow in my car: 1, don't talk louder than the music playing. 2, no tik-toks in my car while I'm driving. 3, always wear a seatbelt and 4, number of passengers equal the number of seatbelts. I take my rules very seriously, and everybody who I drive knows them to a tee.
Since that day in drivers ed, I've taken driving seriously and continue to stay focused on the road. Driving can be a dangerous thing. Every driver should be locked in on the road and know exactly how to use their vehicle before driving the car. Unfortunately, this is not the case and accidents happen very frequently. New drivers need to recognize the importance of safe driving and limiting distractions such as loud noises, internal thoughts, or working the car out.
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