Horrors of Driving

When one gets their driver's license it opens up the world of freedom and opportunity. Kids no longer have to worry about getting a ride from their parents and for the most part can come and go as they please. This is a huge milestone in a teenagers life and is very exciting and thrilling. I got my drivers license about 5 months prior to writing this essay and I can say first hand how amazing yet terrifying driving is. Before I actually got my license the state of Nevada required a decent amount of work before even stepping foot into the DMV. I had to read the drivers handbook, take the permit test, get 10 hours of nighttime driving, 40 hours of daytime driving, 30 hours of driver ed, and then finally take my drivers test. At the time I thought all these steps were inconvenient and unnecessary. Looking back now and having experience on the road I can say these steps are absolutely necessary. The actual driving teaches you the skills but the online course teaches you the knowledge you need to be safe. Everyone who is hoping to get their license should take these requirements seriously. Although we go through all this training before we are allowed behind the wheel, people still do not take it seriously. Reading the statistics on the number of deaths that are related to driving breaks my heart. In order to reduce the number of deaths maybe we should start requiring everyone with a license to retake the drivers ed course. Doing this can remind the older drivers of the new road rules and show the importance of safety and road rules. This will frustrate loads of individuals but it never hurts to brush up on a skill people use everyday. Throughout my lifetime there have been numerous situations where my parents or other drivers have been driving irresponsibly. One story that impacted me drastically was about 2 years ago when my uncle and I were coming back from the shopping mall. We were driving down Las Vegas Boulevard and we were having a comical conversation. We were both laughing and just enjoying each other's company when the light turned red. My uncle did not see it and when he did it was too late. Two little girls and their father had begun to cross the road when my uncle slammed on the brakes. My uncle's car struck the family and I remember the sound and seeing them fly back due to the impact. Instantly my uncle jumped out of the car and went to check on the family. I on the other hand was in pure shock and was frozen in my seat. Once the police showed up to the scene the two little girls passed on impact and the father survived. Due to me experiencing this tragic event I was absolutely terrified to get my drivers license. With some time I learned that it was inevitable and I had to get my drivers license. Being that I am still a new driver I am constantly on edge and never allow myself to lose focus. One thing that I promised myself when getting my license is to limit as many distractions as possible. My phone is in my purse and out of my sight so I am not tempted to grab it, I do not mess with my radio, and refuse to eat or drink while in motion. I believe these steps I take every time before starting my car is going to keep not only me safe but others. I also try to get my friends to follow these steps as well by sharing my story with them to show the seriousness. To this day my uncle lives with guilt and I do not want to go through what he is. Having taken my courses and driving hours seriously plus being cautious now is going to ensure the safety of everyone around me as well as myself.