First, I would like to
introduce myself. My name is Caitlin Bowling. I am a highschool
junior at Fairborn High School in Dayton, Ohio, dedicated to paying
college through scholarships and grants. I plan on attending a local
community college to gain an Associates degree and a Bachelors at a
University. I hope to pursue a degree in computer engineering or
business. I look forward to pursuing a higher education and the
opportunity to grow and learn.




Becoming a safe and
experienced driver can be a long and tedious task, but it is
essential to reduce the number of deaths as a result of driving. I
remember when I got my permit, standing in the loud and cramped BMV.
The small piece of plastic sitting in my hands felt like a piece of
gold. But as I sat in the driver's seat of my mothers car I did not
feel excited. Instead, I felt scared and anxious. My head was
wrapping around the fact that I could easily kill myself and others
with a two-ton hunk of metal. That day I drove in circles around the
pothole filled parking lot for 30 minutes. My growth as a driver
developed slowly but surely, from driving up and down my street, to
enrolling in a driving education course, to becoming the driver I am
today. Driving education is imperative to gain the information and
experience to become a safe, knowledgeable, and defensive driver.




Many factors impact the amount
of deaths related to driving. The obvious factors are weather and
road conditions but there are many others that are preventable. These
include not practicing good driving habits, driving distracted or
under the influence, and/or disobeying traffic laws. The good news is
that these bad habits are reversible. Make sure to always use your
indicator lights, pay attention to the road, always silence your
phone and put it away, have a designated driver, and drive the speed
limit. Changing bad habits can take time, but in the end it is
necessary to save lives, including your own.



Unfortunately I have had
multiple friends who have been in car accidents. The most serious
case was my friend who was traveling in a car with her grandmother
and sister. They were about to turn left on a green arrow when they
collided with a motorcyclist attempting to run a red light. The
motorcyclist died upon impact, but his body slid under the car to the
other side. Due to the damage to the car, my friend had to step over
his body to exit the vehicle. That experience left her with damaging
emotional scars that she will have for the rest of her life. My
friend was extremely lucky to survive the accident, but not everyone
is as fortunate as my friend.



Everyone, including myself,
needs to make smart and informed decisions. Make sure to focus on the
road, obey traffic laws, wear your seatbelt, and exercise good
driving habits. Make sure to encourage others to drive safely as
well. Breaking bad habits can be hard, but in the end, your life and
the lives of others are the top priority.




In conclusion, make sure to
always remember that the quality of your driving affects the safety
of others. Driving is a serious responsibility that should not be
taken lightly. Thank you for the opportunity to share my message and
remember to drive safely!