Ever since I was a little girl, I remember my parents ingraining in my brain that driving a vehicle is a full time job. That statement has always stayed with me throughout my childhood and adult years. This means that the single most important thing that I need to do while driving is to focus on driving the car properly while watching out for other cars. This also means to avoid distractions such as cell phones and the radio. This lesson has been integral in helping me to be a safe and defensive driver.

On top of that, driver education equipped me with the knowledge and skills that made me a safe and comfortable driver. I remember vividly, reporting to my driver education classes in the evening. I did not know a lot about cars or driving. I also remember that all I wanted to do was get a driver's license and get on the open road. It was apparent from day one of my classes, that I had a lot to learn, and that driving was a massive responsibility. From day one of classes, I learned about important traffic laws, road signs, and even what to do if I started to slide on icy roads. I learned how to properly handle four way stops. On top of the laws, the other really important thing I learned in my drivers education classes was how to be a defensive driver. Knowing the traffic laws and being a defensive driver really makes a positive impact on drivers and reduces deaths due to driving. By being a defensive driver, I am always thinking one step ahead. I am keeping a safe distance and looking ahead to see if there are any potential risks. I also learned that speeding gets you nowhere fast and can often end up causing accidents. By being a defensive driver, I follow the speed limits, or even drive under the speed limit. These are the very important lessons that I have learned while taking my driver education classes. They have been priceless in my life and have saved my life on many occasions.

I just mentioned that the driver education classes have helped saved my life as well as others in my family. I think many people feel like they are never going to get into an accident in their lives. However, they often don’t take into account the other drivers on the road and what they may or may not be doing behind the wheel. Unfortunately, I have been in three accidents. The accidents were so bad, the airbags were activated. On all three occasions, the other drivers were at fault and it was due to them not paying attention as they were on their phones. In two of the accidents, the other drivers slammed into the back of my car and failed to slow down in time as they were on their devices. They rammed into the back of my car with such force, the airbags were deployed and both of my cars were totaled. Unfortunately, this choice making is an ever present occurrence in today's world. Many drivers feel they can multitask and still be able to drive safely. What I have experienced is the opposite. These behaviors while driving put everyone at risk who is on the road with them. In all three occasions, I was being a defensive driver and watching the cars come up from behind me. I was able to move out of the way a little and brace for impact as much as I could. Even then, I still could not stop them from running into me. Fortunately, I was able to walk away from all three accidents. I was taken to the hospital to be checked over by a doctor for any broken bones and head trauma. I was able to released on the same day of the accidents with minor cuts and bruises.

There are many steps that can be taken to help reduce the number of deaths related to driving. One of the most important steps is that people must follow the law of wearing seatbelts.
I really feel that it is important for every car to have seatbelts that work automatically. As the driver and passenger enter the car, they would sit down, shut the door, turn the car on, and then the seatbelts would automatically strap the passengers in for their safety. I know first hand based on the three accidents that I was in, that seatbelts work and save lives. This is just one of the steps that needs to be followed by drivers to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. All potential drivers must be required to take driver education classes. I do believe these classes are crucial in saving lives. Many of the students who come in, have little to no knowledge when it comes to driving, laws and being a safe, defensive driver. I also feel that while the students are out with their instructors on the road, there should be many hours spent in the evening driving. Driving at night is much different than driving during the day. I also feel that new drivers should have to take classes with the fire and police departments. These departments would be crucial in teaching new drivers about what experiences they have had on the road. They can also teach them common misconceptions and key lessons to avoid accidents and harming others on the road. The police and fire departments can also show the new drivers, vehicles they have on site that have been in accidents. This is a real life lesson that can really hit home to the new drivers.

There are many steps that I can take to be a better and safer driver as well as things I can do to help others to become safer on the road too. One of the most important things that I can do is follow the traffic laws while driving. I also need to be more of a defensive driver while out on the roads driving. As soon as I get in my car, I tell others and myself to put our seatbelt on. This is done before I even start the car and drive. I pay attention to the road signs and the cars ahead of me, behind me and coming towards me. I always tell myself and anyone that I am with about keeping a safe distance between our car and the cars in front of us. This allows us to be able to get out of a potentially dangerous situation by giving us time to react to any situation that could occur. One other thing that I tell myself and other to do is to not be on our phones or devices. I always use my phone before I drive off and then don’t use it again until I am stopped and out of the car. I also do not touch the radio and already have my playlist playing and ready to go before I drive off to my location. Avoiding these distractions are key in keeping myself and other safe while driving. Often times, I have to drive long distances to get to my school from where I live or due to travel in general. One rule of thumb I was always taught and I teach others is that if I feel tired, I stop driving. There are many instances a day where people push their limits and cannot stay awake. Doing so put everyone at risk who is on the road with them. At the first sign of being tired, that should be the message to stop driving and let someone else take over the driving responsibility. Or, if there is no one available, then just stop driving until you get some sleep or rest enough to drive again.

Ever since I was young, I was taught how to be safe on the road. My family has had many instances where we have been in accidents. We also have known many people who have died on the road driving too. Many of those situations weren’t even their fault. My parents taught me that driving was a privilege. With this privilege comes a major responsibility. I have always tried to be safe driver because I knew others were counting on me to do that as well. This is when I really learned what it meant for driving to be a full time job. I only have one job I should be focused on while driving, and that is to be a safe and defensive driver by following the laws and avoiding distractions. I am grateful the the driver education classes. They have taught me so much. The lessons I was taught, help me every day when I am on the road.