Drivers safety

Driver education is essential to safe driving. Growing up with 3 older siblings I remember hearing them talk about drivers ed class in high school and how valuable it was to them. I also remember how much they used to come home telling me things that they had learned in that class like , “always wait for the pedestrians or they would tell me about the online games that they were required to play and because of this I was always excited about taking the class when I got older. I noticed that they were learning and having fun doing it and I think that made all of the difference in the world. The unfortunate thing is drivers ed is not required in many schools anymore and because of that teens are oblivious to a lot of the risks of the road.

The number one step to ensure safety on the road would be to cease texting while driving. I was a perpetrator of a crash because I chose to look at my cellular device while at a stop light. A fast glance to my cell resulted in me hitting someone in the back of their car. The sad part was my 3 year old niece was riding with me that night. I now know that if I just had waited to get to my destination I would have avoided the accident. I also have been on the opposite side of an accident where I was a hit in the back of my car. Some say it’s Karma, but I say it is a very common but pressing issue that could happen to anyone.

I remember one Sunday morning, my mother got the call that my brother had been in a terrible motorcycle accident in California. He had been drinking and lost control of his motorcycle and was ejected from the seat of the bike. As a result, he had many internal and external wounds. The thought that I might lose my brother taunted me. I understood the emotional damage that it caused not only him but my entire family. From that day, I vowed that I would never drink and drive.

Now at age of 22 as a current at-risk driver, I know it is my duty to be as careful as possible on the road. With that, here are some steps that I put in place to insure my safety and the safety of those around me; If I must communicate on the phone I will always use the hands free installation in my car; I will not eat while driving so that both hands can be free; I will keep my eyes on the road at all times just in case an abrupt stop happens. As a result of my experiences I now am a bit paranoid. However, I am using this paranoia as a vehicle to make sure I stay alert so I and anyone who is riding with me can get home safe.