Driving - Risk and Reward

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.