In the Driver's Seat

It is very important for new drivers to take a course in Drivers Education. Over 37,000 people die yearly as a result of automobile accidents. Another 2.35 million are injured. Driving is a privilege. Everyone must respect and obey the laws of the road Driving is not something to be taken lightly. Your life could be in danger every time you get behind the wheel If you aren’t paying attention. I think it should be a law that everyone should take a Drivers ed course before they can be issued a license. You will not only learn the laws and rules of the road, you will also get much-needed practice behind the wheel in a safe environment. I feel that just one semester does not make a driver proficient enough to be on the road alone. I think it should be mandatory to take at least one full year of Drivers ed before being allowed to obtain a license. I feel this would better prepare drivers and drastically reduce deaths caused by negligent driving.

One of my best friends was killed in an automobile accident. One rainy Saturday afternoon, he left his home. He was driving way too fast. He was driving into a curve and lost control. He hit a tree at a speed of 85 miles per hour. He was air flighted to the hospital, where he later died. He was constantly being told by his parents and myself to slow down. That would only make him drive faster. He was a very intelligent young man but very stubborn. He thought he had it all under control. He had started a rock band that I was lucky enough to have been a part of. He was very talented. He could play any instrument he picked up but his favorite was the drums. He was looking forward to going to college to become a brain surgeon. Sadly we will never know what he would have become. It seemed like a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from until I helped to lay him in the ground. At that moment, the whole thing became real. One of my very best friends was gone forever. I would no longer have my buddy to challenge me academically, I vowed that I would always drive the speed limit and be as safe as I possibly could. I didn’t want my family and friends to have to suffer such a devastating loss.

There are several things a driver can do to be safe. First, make sure your cell phone is turned off so you won’t be tempted to text or talk while driving. Second, make sure seatbelt is on, mirrors are adjusted, set radio controls where you want them at a volume that won’t be distracting and set the temperature at a comfortable level. If you do these things before you crank the car, you won’t have to readjust the settings and get distracted while driving. You also need to be vigilant while driving. Watch out for other drivers that may be crossing the center lane or running a red light. Make sure to keep a safe distance behind the car in front of you so you have plenty of time to stop if they stop suddenly. Always give yourself plenty of time to travel so you won’t be tempted to speed to get there in time. If everyone will do all these things it can help cut down on the number of deaths caused by traffic accidents.