Sophie
Jurs

Drivers
Education Essay

For
the Passenger
As
I sat in the passenger seat on the way to the DMV to get my license
on my 16th birthday, I thought about the excitement that was building
up to this moment in my life. My older sister told me that getting my
license would change my life. I’d now be able to go and do things
without calling my mom for a ride, what a relief. The passenger seat,
I thought to myself. The passenger seat is boring. The passenger seat
is only there to do what the driver wants to do, I thought.
Then,
I thought back to last February. I was sitting in the passenger seat
of my best friend's car. We had stopped because the car in front of
us was making a left turn and had to wait on the approaching traffic.
Before I knew it, our car is launched forward and into the car in
front of us. We were hit from behind by a teen who was not paying
attention. We had minor injuries, but luckily the only major problem
was a totaled car. One thing I will never forget, is the look on
teenage girl’s passengers face. He looked shocked and scared. She
looked guilty and apologetic.      
Drivers
education is important, not just to the driver, but to the passenger.
The number of deaths that result from car accidents are an extreme
number, and because of the important information and advice that
comes from drivers ed courses, I am lucky to be prepared.
Drivers ed classes taught me how to pass safely, how to read
road signs, and how to behave in the scene of an accident. These
lessons are steps to becoming a better driver, ones that try to
prevent an accident from happening in the first place. Drivers
education must be utilized by all drivers to reduce risks by
performing simple tasks, like putting on a seat belt or turning your
lights on. People must educate themselves.      
  The
passenger seat, where my best friends would never stop talking. The
passenger seat, where my sister would change the song every minute.
The passenger seat, where I took my Grandma to church on Sunday
mornings. The passenger seat, where my boyfriend would make jokes
about my car. My passenger seat, where I would take my mom to the
hospital after breaking her arm. The passenger seat is not a boring
seat. The passenger seat is not only there to do whatever the driver
wants to do. The passenger seat is for friends, family, and people
that have lives just like the driver does. The passenger seat worth
protecting for the lifetime of memories that can be made. The
driver's seat may have the control, but with control brings great
responsibility. I believe that this responsibility means taking steps
to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. This means, taking
driving lessons, not using a phone, and always paying attention to
the road. This will keep you and your passengers safe, as well as the
cars next to you. Educate yourself for your life and your passengers.