As someone who recently received their driver’s license and completed a driver’s education course, I am well aware of the importance of following the rules and driving safely. The driver’s education course I took gave me some great information that made me a better driver, despite already having my license. Had I not taken driver's education, I would not understand the gravity of what can happen behind the wheel. Since the leading cause of deaths in teens is motor vehicle accidents, It is important to receive a proper education before you begin driving. Because I took a driver’s education course, I know what to do if my car starts hydroplaning, if a light comes on on my dash, and I have an understanding of traffic laws. Without this knowledge, driving would be far more dangerous, and perhaps deadly. In order to reduce the number of driving-related deaths, I think that it should be a requirement to take a driver’s education course, instead of the option to take a 5 hour course instead. I took both, and truly believe that the 5 hour course wasn’t enough. In this course you do learn the basics, but the depth of learning is not as encompassing as the driver’s education course. Experience comes into play in a lot of situations, and we can learn from other drivers and instructors who give us situations and have us consider what we would do in that moment and then tell us the correct response so that it makes sense.
Personally, I have never been in an accident. I do, however, know many people whose lives were forever changed by an accident. Very recently, a boy in the grade above mine was driving in bad weather and crashed his car into a tree. He was stuck in his car for hours, and needed to be saved by the jaws of life. His legs were crushed and he was airlifted to a large Hospital, an hour away. After flatlining multiple times, the doctors were eventually able to save him. It has almost been 2 years, multiple surgeries and grafts, and he still cannot walk. This boy was one of the best athletes at our school, and was particularly great at basketball. He planned to play college basketball, and had recruiters at every game. This boy is one of my best friends, and his life is forever changed because of this car accident. He wishes he could change it every day.
While I do my best to be a safe driver, I am not perfect. Being a safe driver is something you need to continuously and actively work toward. I can think of a few ways I can be a better driver right now. I will keep an updated playlist of songs I listen to when I drive so I do not have to take the time to skip a song I don’t like. I will lower my music’s volume, so I can be better focused on the road. I will also encourage my friends to do the same. We all love to listen to music, and we do so very loudly, which can be distracting when driving. I also have noticed my friends drive quite carelessly when they have more than one passenger in the car, so I will encourage my friends to divide themselves into cars accordingly. This way, although more expensive in gas, we will keep that sensory overload from happening.
As licensed drivers, we all need to take precautions in order to ensure the safety of the other drivers who share the roads with us. They are entrusting that we are doing so, and we share a responsibility to them to follow protocols and do all we can to all be safe. Maintaining safe speeds, being aware and looking for obstacles in our paths, staying in our lanes, and being alert in order to react to other drivers or new road conditions is imperative to the safety of all of us.
In conclusion, I think driving safely is very important. I do what I can to be safe, and try to keep others safe too. Driving a car can be dangerous, but with the proper preparation it can be made more safe. Being a safe driver is something I pride myself on, and I am always careful when I am behind the wheel. I actively promote good driving habits to my friends, and hope that my friends try to be safe as well. The number of not only teen, but adult deaths related to driving is nothing short of a tragedy. I hope that others do their part and do what they can to be safe on the road. A reckless driver is not only a danger to themselves, but also a danger to everyone on the road. Driving and traffic schools and drivers education classes help to keep us all safer from accidents and mishaps.