Many people see driving as just another thing we get to do. When doing something everyday or multiple times a day, you get used to it and lose the significance of it alot of times. Driver’s all across America don’t see the impact an everyday habit can make on lives. The importance of reducing the number of deaths due to driving should be recognized more. Things like distracted driving or driving while intoxicated are just a few of the reasons that cause deaths as a result of driving. Some steps that can be taken to help positively impact the deaths could be to have more awareness of the significance of driving when going through the test process. I have been in a car accident. It was when I was little, so I don't remember much but someone else wasn’t paying attention and merged over into the lane my family was in. They probably didn't know they even caused a wreck, but this shows the ignorance to driving people have. For me personally, I can be a better driver by being more attentive. I am like many other teenagers, I have my music up loud, at times I drive too fast and am distracted by friends in the car or just zone out at times while driving.
More awareness and education about driving distracted and wearing a seatbelt would be very helpful in reducing the number of deaths related to driving. Even though young people, like myself, know that diving is serious, sometimes that can be forgotten. When you first start driving you are very aware and pay attention to everything. However, as time goes on, you drive more and have more experience driving, you become relaxed on some of those things you learned early on. I have seen first hand how people can get easily distracted or do dumb things because they are around their friends. While the knowledge is there, the reality of something bad happening isn’t there. Seeing it in my everyday life, I see people open the door to the harsh reality of causing something bad to happen while they are behind the wheel. Not only is staying focused and following the laws beneficial for you, but also the people around you.
Not only was I in an accident when I was little, I recently hit a deer. I left late for work that morning and was definitely going too fast on the back roads on the way to work. I wasn't paying much attention and was listening to music rushing to get there on time. Out of nowhere my car starts driving weird. I had thought I had hit a pothole and my wheel was just acting weird, but after I pulled over I saw that my bumper was rubbing against my tire. I called my dad and as he was on his way he said he passed a deer on the side of the road. When he got to my car it was obvious it was not a pothole and he eventually found a few little pieces of fur in my bumper. We still don't know for 100% certainty but we have a good reason to believe I hit a deer and didn’t even realize it. While this was very minor, imagine if that was a person or child when I hadn't been paying attention. Little incidents like that show you how easy it is to mess up and change yours or someone else’s life in the matter of seconds.
The most important thing that I can do personally is to be more aware of everything around me when driving. As in the example above, being aware of your surroundings can greatly improve your driving. I personally have experienced a minor event of what can happen when a lack of awareness is present. I am thankful the situation wasn’t worse, but I also now am more attentive to details when I am driving in order to prevent something like that or worse from happening again. Just as in my situation a lack of awareness can negatively impact driving so much. It puts you and the people and other drivers around you at risk therefore the more awareness the better when it comes to driving. Also, to hold my friends and family accountable. I think it is important that we hold each other accountable. We say when you see something you say something. Not only do I do this because I care for the well-being of the people in the car with me, but I also do this for the people that could be impacted by someone else’s bad driving.
Thank you for the time you have taken to read my essay. On behalf of all high school seniors, thank you for offering this scholarship to help us as we enter the next phase of our lives and are on our own. I am truly grateful for your consideration!