Freedom,
adventure, independence. That is what I knew I was getting when I
walked out of the DMV with my drivers license. I felt like a new
person. I could go anywhere, do anything, as long as I was off the
roads by 11 O’Clock of course. I remember sitting at my desk in my
room watching the drivers Ed videos, and reading the handbook
preparing myself for that exam. I deserved this, I worked hard for
this. Two years ago I got that freedom. I had that new sense of
adventure and independence. However, I didn’t understand the weight
of responsibility of owning a car. You are not only responsible for
yourself, but you are responsible for the safety of your passengers,
the pedestrians, and other drivers.
Road
and motor vehicle accidents claim over 1 million lives annually. The
only way to significantly reduce this absurd number is by following
and understanding the rules of the road. We must be aware of our
actions while driving. Ask yourself, are you physically capable of
operating this vehicle? If yes, are you mentally or emotionally
impared? We fail to understand that emotional distress, physical
illness, and even sleep deprivation allow for a margin of error that
could result in a life being prematurely taken. We are given
handbooks and educational videos in order to ensure that our
education is fulfilled. It is our responsibility to apply the
principles and laws in our everyday lives. We are responsible for
understanding that weather may affect the regulations of the road. It
is our responsibility to uphold and follow these regulations.

I
was 16 when I got into my first accident. It was my fault. I was
driving too fast and a man slammed on his breaks. I didn’t have
time to stop. I was lucky. No one was hurt and there was minimal
damage to either car. I had no idea what to do in this situation. The
man frightened me, I had my younger sister with me and my parents
were not answering the phone. I knew to take pictures of the licence
plates, drivers licence, and insurance card. However, I didn’t know
that I should have taken pictures of the damage. I wasn’t
practicing safe driving and I took the consequences at the expense of
another person. I could have taken the life of a stranger and of my
own sister. I needed to be more aware. If I had been driving safely
the accident could have been avoided.

To
be a safer and more efficient driver, we must understand the rules of
the road. We have to take into account the safety of other people. If
necessary, we should refresh our knowledge of the rules of the road.
While sitting in that drivers seat, think of our parents, siblings,
and loved ones, who would all suffer the great pain from the loss of
a child or sibling. Those 1 million lives that are claimed, were
taken too early. Take reckless driving seriously. Follow the rules of
the road so a mother does not have to grieve the loss of her child.