In the Driver's Seat: Driving is the New Terrifying Attraction of 2019

Julianna Hagen

Driving is the New Terrifying Attraction of 2019

Sixteen is a monumental age for almost every teenager, they finally have a chance at some freedom. Many students begin their journey into driving at fifteen and officially get their license at sixteen, and it can be a very scary time. This fear can be alleviated by enrolling in drivers ed. Drivers ed helps new drivers build their confidence within this vehicle they are learning to operate, but they also get to learn how to drive defensively. Learning from a parent is one thing, but hearing something from someone you don’t know, who is essentially a professional, can be incredibly eye opening. Taking drivers ed can teach a teenager how to avoid and defend themselves from driver’s who aren’t driving safely, and it is a great way for the student to learn in a safe learning environment with an adult who knows what they’re doing.

In order to reduce the number of deaths related to driving, drivers need to realize the dangers of texting while driving and driving under the influence. The reason why so many people text and drive is due to the fact that they believe they have the mental and physical capacities to do so safely. Driving can be extremely unpredictable, which is why it is necessary to always be aware of the road and your surroundings. A child could run out onto the road and go unnoticed by the vehicle because the driver is texting and looking away from the road. The other issue involving unsafe driving is when the driver is under the influence, that can include drinking, drugs, or sleep deprivation. Sometimes alcohol can give a person a false sense of confidence and leave them to believe they can drive responsible, and that is never the case. In order to prevent these things, people around the intoxicated person need to prevent them from driving by being the DD (designated driver) or ordering them a ride (Uber or Lyft). There are many things that can be done to prevent driving while intoxicated.

I have had to live through the unfortunate event of losing a classmate to a car accident. During my junior year of high school, one of my friends and her younger brother died in a car accident just days after her and his birthdays, they were 17 and 13 respectively. This event affected the entire school, as she was very involved in various school clubs and activities. It was later revealed that it was the older sister’s fault for the accident, she hadn’t been paying attention and crossed over the centerline on a busy street. Thankfully the school district had provided multiple counselors and therapy dogs to help the school through the grieving and healing process that follows the death of a loved one. I have also been in the car with someone that had been driving irresponsibly. He had just gotten his license and was a little overconfident in his abilities. Thankfully he has gotten a lot better and more aware of his driving and the consequences that could follow unsafe driving.

These experiences have helped me realize simple mistakes I may be making and how I should go about becoming a safer and more aware driver. I make sure to place my phone in a spot that I cannot see or hear that way it cannot distract me or tempt me while driving. I always try to be aware of my surrounds and focus on the road. I typically don’t trust other drivers and am always in the mindset that they will probably do something unsafe. By thinking this way, I am prepared for the other driver to be irresponsible. There have been many times where I predicted what the other driver will do that have saved me from a potential car accident. By following these defensive procedures, I am keeping myself safe as well as others around me. In conclusion, by enrolling in drivers ed I gained confidence in my driving and learned basic ideas and maneuvers that have kept me and others safe on the road.