In The Driver’s
Seat
By Madison Wilson


I was so excited to earn my driver’s license. Yes, I was nervous
taking the driving test, but I also had confidence in my skills that
I learned in my drivers’ education class. My drivers’ education
teacher, Ms. Tolero, focused on helping me to develop safe driving
habits including “keeping the car in balance”. When the state of
Vermont changed the rules for junior operators’ licenses, requiring
a waiting period before young drivers can have passengers in the car
with them, many people felt that this was unfair. I feel that this
saved lives. We learned in drivers’ education about avoiding
distractions while driving, but learning about it and practicing it
are two completely different things. This waiting period allows for
young drivers such as myself to truly learn how their car operates,
learn how the car reacts with the road in a number of situations,
without the distraction of friends urging anyone to go beyond their
comfort level.


I think that
there are many things that can be done to help reduce driving related
deaths. The first and foremost is to reduce distractions. We, as
Americans, are accustomed to having everything that we need right at
our fingertips and having instant communication with people. It is
this reliance that contributes significantly to our distractions.
There should be technology built into our phones that places them on
a do-not-disturb setting if they are within 2 feet of the steering
wheel of a vehicle traveling over 5 miles per hour. I am aware that
I can voluntarily place my phone on a do-not-disturb setting, but
there are so many people who wouldn’t do that unless it was forced
on them. I see this as life-saving technology, and much like the
graduated licenses in Vermont, the benefit far outweighs the supposed
downside.

I have been
fortunate enough to not have been in a serious car accident, but one
of my friends was and she luckily walked away with only minor
injuries. Having driven with her in the past, I believe that she was
distracted when she crashed. I have seen her texting while driving,
and have asked her not to at all, but especially when I am in the
vehicle with her. I’ve offered to do her texting for her while she
is driving, but I’m certain that the accident that evening could
have been prevented if she hadn’t been distracted.


There are many
things that we each can do to try to reduce driving related deaths.
For my part, I text my parents when I’m getting ready to leave a
location and text them again when I arrive at my destination; and
during the travel in between, my phone remains in my backpack on the
passenger side floor. It would be too much of a temptation if it
were out on my console. I also actively encourage my friends to give
me their phones while they are driving and I am their passenger.