Tristan
Rumsey

Driving
– Risk and Reward

Driving
a car for the first time was a terrifying experience. My 15-year-old
self was literally in the driver’s seat—forced to make choices
that could be the difference between life and death. Starting in a
parking lot, I learned to shift gears, use signals, and the even
scarier process of parking! But it was an awesome opportunity and a
significant point in my life. My first time driving a car was a
bildungsroman
moment, and it is imperative that drivers feel the weight of this
responsibility. 

Because
a turn, a change of speed, or a failure to use signals can lead to
death, drivers ed is one of the most important elements of a
teenager’s life—it is not to be taken for granted. In my
training, I learned how to operate a vehicle, interpret signs and
warnings, and adhere to the laws of the road, all of which prepared
me for driving. If we were to forgo these classes and in-car
instructions, injuries and even deaths would skyrocket. Proper driver
education gives us the knowledge and experience to venture out onto
the road with awareness and confidence.

There
are several measures that can lower the number of casualties on the
road. Increasing class time and in-car sessions with instructors is a
necessity. More hours will equate to greater familiarity with the
streets and potential hazards. Another step is to enforce stricter
laws regarding the number of peers in the car with a young driver. A
student in my grade was caught speeding on a highway with seven other
kids squeezed into his car—surely a distraction. Finally, given
that cell phones are at the center of the automotive accident
epidemic, steps must be made to leave them behind. Many new cars
today alert you if your eyes shift from the road, a process that all
companies should invest in. If drivers are caught using their phones
while driving, a mere slap on the wrist may not be enough to prevent
it from happening again; therefore, especially for teenagers and
young adults most at risk, a suspension of your driver’s license
and supervision for future driving are procedures that should be
followed rigorously.

In
my own driving, I follow laws and safety guidelines as best as
possible. Taking my time is one of the best things I can do, as
rushing around may result in unsafe behavior. I make an effort to
check my mirrors using the SMITH system and am courteous to other
drivers so that accidents can be avoided. I remember being involved
in a rear-end collision when I was young. The experience gave me
whiplash and left me shaken up, and I vowed to myself that I would do
everything I could to avoid this situation again. 

Being
a good role model by following the laws, putting the phone away, and
gaining first-hand experience on the road are all critical to
learning how to drive. All it takes is one flash of a second to
change our lives.