In the Driver's Seat: A Decision that lasts forever

One decision. One choice. One life forever changed.

Driving: a symbol of freedom to many people; a sign that you are growing up and becoming independent. With the privilege of getting behind the wheel, however, comes the responsibility that we are taking control of something that can change the lives and future of everyone around us.

My name is Jarif, and I am someone who knows all too well that driving is a huge responsibility.

I learned this the hard way after hearing about the story of my friend, Maggie.

Maggie attended a party down a rural road in my hometown one night, and the next morning decided to drive herself home while she was still impaired. She ended up sliding off the road and into a ditch, and survived, although she was paralyzed from the waist down.

After hearing about Maggie's terrible car accident, I came to the realization that drinking and driving and driving under the influence wasn't just something I heard on PSA commercials or learned about in driver's ed class, but something that could actually happen for real;

Something that could actually happen to somebody with a future and dreams, and change their life forever in a blink of an eye.

Maggie's story and my own understanding of driving forever changed the way I look at a simple automobile, and how I view driving and people who do not take responsibility for their actions behind the wheel.

I understand now that driving is a huge privilege that not only puts your own life at risk,

but the lives of other people as well.

Many drivers don't want to consider that what they do behind the wheel doesn't just affect themselves, but it also can affect all of the people in their surrounding area as well.

The people who care about you will have to go through heartbreak, struggle, and maybe even financial burdens due to one simple decision that you've made behind the wheel. Although drivers may think their mistakes only affect themselves, the truth is that drivers are making decisions that affect everybody around them as well.

This is why I think that driver's ed is such an important thing for young people to take, that not only prepares them to be responsible and safe drivers on the road,

but also makes them aware of the fact that driving is so much more than just learning how to operate a car and pass your driver's exam. Driver's education provides people with the tools to not make dumb decisions behind the wheel; that could cost themselves or someone else their lives.

One of the most important things I think driver's ed does for young people is that it educates them about dangerous driving and the consequences that can result from it.

Distracted driving, impaired driving, driving too fast, and reckless driving are just some of the ways people can put themselves and others in harm's way. It gives new drivers the opportunity to reflect and learn that being responsible and putting their lives and the lives of others on the line by driving is something that should be done thoughtfully and with caution.

Smartphones, for example, have become such an important part of our lives, that people tend to forget just how dangerous it can be to use them while operating a motor vehicle.

Texting and driving, using your phone, and looking at notifications while driving may seem like no big deal and may only take a second, but those few seconds can be enough to cost you or someone else's life.

Another example is people thinklessly speeding in attempt to get where they are going faster. Speeding, not only reduces your reaction time on the road, but it also puts you at more risk for accidents.

Speeding is not worth arriving somewhere a little bit sooner if it means putting yourself and other people at risk.

Technology, of course, can help drivers stay safe as well.

Sensors, automatic brakes, and other helpful technology are useful and can keep drivers safe on the road, but the most important "technology" that drivers have at their disposal is their own life. Drivers should know that the most important thing they can do to stay safe on the roads is to be responsible.

The responsibility that comes with being a driver can be stressful at times, which is why it is important for people who are new to driving to have a good understanding of what it means to be a responsible driver.

It is especially important for young drivers to be educated about distracted driving since many of them are new to having a driver's license and think they can do whatever they want behind the wheel.

Driving takes practice, of course, but as new drivers it is important to know that we can be responsible on the road to make sure we and others are safe.

Being aware of the dangers on the road is the first step of being a responsible driver. Knowing when not to drive is just as important as knowing how to drive. This is something I have learned from Maggie's story, and something that I think is important for me to take with me as I learn how to drive.

After hearing Maggie's story, I realized that not only was there a lot of things I didn't think of when I thought about driving, but I also learned that I should be more responsible and not drive when I'm impaired or distracted.

In addition to this, I learned that being responsible behind the wheel and having good habits is something that can make roads safer for everyone.

As an incoming Bachelor of Commerce student at the University of Saskatchewan, I know that responsibility and decision-making are some of the most important skills I can develop in my lifetime, which is why I believe that driving is something that can also teach us many important lessons.

Maggie's story really opened my eyes to the fact that one decision behind the wheel could change the rest of someone's life.

Being behind the wheel of a motor vehicle can give us many benefits and opportunities in our lives, but it can also cost us everything we have if we're not careful.

Driver's education and awareness can help us make smart decisions that will make our roads safer, but it is up to us to make the right decision. All drivers have the power in their hands to stop unnecessary deaths and tragedies from happening on the road.

We make responsible decisions behind the wheel and show respect to other people on the road by giving them their space, not driving distracted, and obeying all traffic laws in order to make sure no one's life changes forever the wrong way.

Being in the driver's seat gives us a lot of power, and with that power comes responsibility.