2026 Driver Education Round 1
Behind the Wheel, Ahead of the Moment
Cloey Marie Saylors
CHANDLER, Texas
It’s just another Tuesday, gathering my school gear, cheer uniform, lunch, water bottle and heading out the door. I stop at the door to holler at my sisters to “hurry up and get to the truck, it’s time to go.” Once we've all climbed in, seatbelts secured, and music playlist started, we head out of the driveway on our way to school. However, the day quickly turned. Two miles from home, I hit a whitetail doe.
It all happened in a matter of seconds, but it felt like everything slowed down. The deer came out of nowhere, and in that moment, I had a choice. If I would have swerved, I would have hit another car head on. If I would have swerved the other direction, I would have gone into a steep culvert and likely flipped my vehicle. Instead, I stayed straight and hit the deer.
The impact was loud and sudden. It felt like everything in the car stopped at once, then rushed back all at the same time. My heart was racing, my hands were shaking, and for a moment, I just sat there gripping the steering wheel, trying to process what had just happened. My sisters were quiet, which was unusual, and that silence made everything feel even more real. When I finally looked over at them and saw that they were okay, that is when it really hit me. The car could be replaced, but people cannot. I immediately called my parents to make them aware and to my relief they were not upset, just very grateful my sisters and I were safe.
That moment changed the way I look at driving. Before that day, driving felt routine. It was something I did every day without thinking much about it. I knew the rules, I followed them, and I got where I needed to go. But I had never truly been tested in a situation where one decision could have made such a big difference. That experience showed me that being in the driver’s seat is not just about controlling a vehicle, it is about being responsible for lives.
In that split second, I did not have time to second guess myself. I relied on what I knew. I remembered that swerving can often cause more damage than staying straight, especially when other cars or dangerous terrain are nearby. Even though every instinct tells you to avoid the object, sometimes the safest decision is the hardest one to make. Staying straight did not feel right in the moment, but it was the decision that protected everyone in my car and on the road around me.
After the accident, I thought about all the different ways it could have gone. If I had panicked and jerked the wheel, I could have hit another driver head on. If I had overcorrected, I could have gone into the culvert and rolled the car and possibly caused serious physical damages to myself and my younger sisters. Those outcomes would have been far worse than hitting the deer. That realization made me understand how important it is to stay calm under pressure. Panic leads to poor decisions but staying focused can prevent something much worse.
Since that day, I have approached driving with a completely different mindset. I pay more attention to my surroundings, especially in areas where wildlife is common. I watch the sides of the road more closely and stay aware of how quickly something can change. I also make a conscious effort to limit distractions. It is easy to think a quick glance at your phone or getting caught up in conversation is harmless, but situations like mine prove that you need your full attention at all times.
Being an educated driver means more than just passing a test. It means understanding real life situations and knowing how to respond to them. It means being prepared for the unexpected and making decisions that protect not only yourself, but everyone around you. Driving is something most people do every day, but it is also something that carries a serious level of responsibility.
Being “in the driver’s seat” is more than just a phrase. It means being in control of your actions, your reactions, and your responsibility to others. That Tuesday morning started like any other, but it became a lesson I will carry with me for the rest of my life. It reminded me that every time I get behind the wheel, I am making choices that matter. And sometimes, those choices have to be made in a split second.
It all happened in a matter of seconds, but it felt like everything slowed down. The deer came out of nowhere, and in that moment, I had a choice. If I would have swerved, I would have hit another car head on. If I would have swerved the other direction, I would have gone into a steep culvert and likely flipped my vehicle. Instead, I stayed straight and hit the deer.
The impact was loud and sudden. It felt like everything in the car stopped at once, then rushed back all at the same time. My heart was racing, my hands were shaking, and for a moment, I just sat there gripping the steering wheel, trying to process what had just happened. My sisters were quiet, which was unusual, and that silence made everything feel even more real. When I finally looked over at them and saw that they were okay, that is when it really hit me. The car could be replaced, but people cannot. I immediately called my parents to make them aware and to my relief they were not upset, just very grateful my sisters and I were safe.
That moment changed the way I look at driving. Before that day, driving felt routine. It was something I did every day without thinking much about it. I knew the rules, I followed them, and I got where I needed to go. But I had never truly been tested in a situation where one decision could have made such a big difference. That experience showed me that being in the driver’s seat is not just about controlling a vehicle, it is about being responsible for lives.
In that split second, I did not have time to second guess myself. I relied on what I knew. I remembered that swerving can often cause more damage than staying straight, especially when other cars or dangerous terrain are nearby. Even though every instinct tells you to avoid the object, sometimes the safest decision is the hardest one to make. Staying straight did not feel right in the moment, but it was the decision that protected everyone in my car and on the road around me.
After the accident, I thought about all the different ways it could have gone. If I had panicked and jerked the wheel, I could have hit another driver head on. If I had overcorrected, I could have gone into the culvert and rolled the car and possibly caused serious physical damages to myself and my younger sisters. Those outcomes would have been far worse than hitting the deer. That realization made me understand how important it is to stay calm under pressure. Panic leads to poor decisions but staying focused can prevent something much worse.
Since that day, I have approached driving with a completely different mindset. I pay more attention to my surroundings, especially in areas where wildlife is common. I watch the sides of the road more closely and stay aware of how quickly something can change. I also make a conscious effort to limit distractions. It is easy to think a quick glance at your phone or getting caught up in conversation is harmless, but situations like mine prove that you need your full attention at all times.
Being an educated driver means more than just passing a test. It means understanding real life situations and knowing how to respond to them. It means being prepared for the unexpected and making decisions that protect not only yourself, but everyone around you. Driving is something most people do every day, but it is also something that carries a serious level of responsibility.
Being “in the driver’s seat” is more than just a phrase. It means being in control of your actions, your reactions, and your responsibility to others. That Tuesday morning started like any other, but it became a lesson I will carry with me for the rest of my life. It reminded me that every time I get behind the wheel, I am making choices that matter. And sometimes, those choices have to be made in a split second.
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Driving Toward Responsibility: How Education Saves Lives on the Road
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