Kamaria McDermott DMV Essay-Life Matters

The year is 1997 and the grade is 7th. One full year after being too scared, tryouts

are finally over and the list will be put up outside the gym soon. She rushes to door…..

and….. YES!! Her name is on the list and she’s made the middle school basketball

team. No more worries right?! Wrong! With that great accomplishment comes practices,

and not just any practices, the 6 am Saturday morning practices! But, she lives in a two

parent household where both mom and dad have vehicles so this won’t be a problem.

No matter the age, almost every kid starts thinking about driving as soon as they

have a desire to hang out with friends, go shopping, or just get to practice on time. Once

they become a teenager those thoughts turn into more realistic thinking about the time

when they can get their driver’s license. They just jump right to the thought of hitting that

exciting milestone leading to when you will no longer have to depend on their parent for

a ride wherever you want to do. Then they research what it takes only to find out there

is a written driving test, practice driving, and not to mention the financial hassle that comes

along with it.

Now back to 1997 when my mother made the middle school basketball team and

signed up for those 6 AM Saturday morning practices. She never thought my granddad

owning a night club would be the reason for her getting her first car and becoming a

regular driver in the 7 th grade. Even though way before it was her time, thankfully my

granddad did not just throw my mother behind the wheel and wish her well. Before he

trusted her to drive 2.9 miles from home to school he took her on many driving practices

and thoroughly explained the importance of safe driving.

Although this was not the correct way of doing things, I will say that we live in a

different time now with more personally created distractions. Cell phones were not as

popular and there sure was not Bluetooth, Apps, and social media at every driver’s

fingertip. However, one constant from then to now is the presence and value of having

drivers’ education classes in high school.

Before drivers’ ed I practiced with my mom and my father. For me drivers’ ed

played a big role in getting my nerves under control. Having someone I had not known

my entire life pour into me helped me in many ways. Class helped build my confidence

on all roads, which for me was a blessing. Some teenagers approaching the age of

driving are lucky enough to have family get them behind a wheel, but for many others,

their high school drivers’ ed class is their first introduction.

No matter which group someone falls in, my advice is the same…TAKE

DRIVERS’ EDUCATION SERIOUS! Do not look at it as a chance to take class with

friends, and then fuss over not being on the same driving schedule. Once you get your

permit your friends will only be able to ride along if you have a licensed driver over 21

sitting in the front seat. Also, within the first year your licenses are restricted. That

means only one friend can ride with along unless again, a licensed driver over 21 until

you have had your license over a year. Pay attention when your classmates are driving.

If the teacher corrects them on something, make sure they do not have to tell you the

same. No matter if you are driving or riding, pay attention to signs because they are

EVERYWHERE and play an important role in the safety of yourself and others who are

on the road.

No matter your experience, age or qualifications, everyone plays a role when it

comes to safe driving. One reason that pushed me to get my license is the fact that my

father has chosen many times to drive under the influence. I was too young to convince

him to not do this, but as I got older, I began speaking up. When I was old enough to

understand how dangerous that was, I told my mom and eventually stop riding with him

under the influence. Now that I am old enough to be heard, I speak up every chance I

get even if that means taking the keys away from him and becoming his ‘designated

driver’. Taking drivers’ ed and becoming a licensed driver helps, but it does not make

you a safe driver. Doing your part to minimize distractions while operating 2,600+ lbs. of

metal is what will make you a safe driver. Every life matter, including our own!