In The Drivers Seat

Before I get into my essay, I’d like to briefly introduce myself.

My name is Jaelin Herault, I am currently a second year, full time student at carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. I am in the Psychology BA Honours program with a minor in disability studies. Once I have completed my undergraduate at Carleton University

plan on attending McGill University for my MA Degree and becoming a counselling Psychologists.

I believe that the importance of drivers ed in reducing the amount of deaths due to driving is a significant component when learning how to drive. Drivers ed helps introduce new drivers to the rules and laws of driving, helping such new drivers be prepared and understand the do’s and don'ts when driving, people can take what they learnt from their drivers ed course with them every time they get behind the wheel, which can go a long way in reducing the amount of deaths caused by driving. Drivers ed thoroughly covers the attitudes and the right morals an individual should possess when driving in the sense of knowing not to drive carelessly and to be aware of your own actions and the ways it can affect those around you while driving. Drivers ed also helps new drivers obtain practical tips, skills and resources to effectively adapt to driving safely on the road such things include looking out for blindspots, always checking your mirrors, and even the little things like always adjusting your seat to suit your driving needs and or comfortability. There is a wide range of topics to be covered in drivers ed, and to say nonetheless, teaching new drivers the importance of the risks and going over the proper techniques of driving can help mold an individual’s perception and importance on being a safe driver.

Despite the fact that such topics of being under the influence while driving, no use of cell phones while driving, and or any type of distracting event is discussed through drivers ed, it still seems prevalent today that some individuals are unfortunately still engaging in such risky behaviours while behind the wheel, but there are many ways individuals can take part in preventing deaths related to driving and the steps that can be taken can include individuals paying attention to their surroundings, as it seems that a fair amount of drivers disregard the right of way to pedestrians, or fail to acknowledge checking their blindspots for other vehicles or pedestrians. Paying close attention to those things can go a long way in preventing a fatality due to driving.

Speeding is another issue, where individuals either simply don’t pay attention to the speed limit, or like to engage in going over the limit even when knowing what the speed limit is. Paying attention to the roads speed limits and going at the proper limit itself can help reduce the amount of deaths that occur due to driving.

Drivers should always ensure their own safety and wear their seatbelts at all times as it is not only your own driving you should be careful of, but also the driving of those around you.

Individuals being aware to not use their brights when oncoming vehicles approach them at night as it is blinding just as much as it is distracting for other drivers, and easy things such as creating a playlist on hand so you do not need to engage in using your phone while driving, and putting it on do not disturb, or turning it off while driving can reduce your distractions while driving.

If you are under the influence, it is always good to plan ahead of time to ensure you have a safe means of transportation to get to your destinations. Asking a parent or trusted loved one is always a reliable solution, or simply calling a taxi too. If you see someone under the influence, stepping in and offering to call a taxi for them instead of allowing them to get behind the wheel can make all that much more of a difference too.

coming to a complete stop at stop signs, and always signaling when turning especially on highways all can play a large role in reducing the amount of deaths related to driving as well.

Just recently I was in a car accident, which is why this scholarship genuinely has significance to me. I was driving my son to daycare in the morning, and when I had gone to turn onto the street of his daycare provider, another driver did not obliged to the stop sign in front of them, while going 60 in a 30 speed limit zone and had hit the left side of my vehicle which just so happened to be my side of the car. Luckily it was not the side that my son was on. That experience alone was fairly traumatizing especially knowing my son could have been impacted due to the careless speeding and the failure of the other driver to acknowledge the stop sign.

As someone who drives everyday, I ensure that my phone is nowhere near me in order to avoid any distractions, I pay attention to my surroundings such as signs, speed limits, and make myself aware of blindspots. Ensuring I always signal when switching lanes is another way that I make it so I am a safer driver, always wearing my seatbelt, and ensuring that all the passengers in my vehicle are as well, and keeping track of my speed limit to make sure it suits that of the areas speed limit that I’m in.

Regardless of the results, I’d like to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak on a topic that I genuinely value and can relate to. I hope people can take something away from this essay, and even improve their driving in one or more of the ways I have suggested.