Growing up, I noticed other parents didn’t fiddle with their phones, didn't yell profusely, and didn't hit sidewalk curbs while driving. That’s what my mother did. I know, I just threw her under the bus, but it’s true. My mother was the one who taught me to drive my junior year of high school. I didn’t get my driver's license until my senior year because she hardly ever let me drive. She told me I wasn’t ready to drive through busy areas, because I hadn’t mastered defensive driving yet. She was right, we live in a sleepless city, with crazy drivers. But the thing is, she is one of them. When I begin to think about it, it could be argued that my mother is a defensive driver. Not in the way she should be though. Certainly defensive every time I pointed out she was speeding, every time she ran through a stop sign, a red light changed lanes through an intersection, or crossed solid yellow lines. I’ve come to realize that what adults have told me my whole life isn’t necessarily true. An experienced driver is not always safe while they drive. It seems that more frequently we start to see “experienced drivers'' take additional risks without worrying about the consequences of others. However, I want to build up credible experience as a driver. So every time I get in the driver’s seat, with the wheel in hand, turning the key, I choose to not drive recklessly like my mom.
That one second of taking your eyes off of the road is enough to ruin someone’s life, ruin a family’s life, or even to lose your own life. Knowing this should be enough to reduce the majority of car collisions. But it isn’t. People are aware of what are considered distractions while driving, it’s a requirement before receiving your license. Still, people continue to drive while texting, eating, or intoxicated. Even with driver's education classes, it seems as though not enough people understand or are aware of the responsibility that comes with driving a car. In American society, it’s become standard to have a personal car for use. In this way, it seems like anyone can get a car and start driving. It’s even encouraged by adults to get your license at a young age, even with the general knowledge that young drivers get into car accidents the most frequently when compared to drivers of all ages. Perhaps it is a safe assumption to say it would be more beneficial to the act of decreasing the number of car accidents by increasing the minimum legal age at which you are allowed to be enrolled in driving school.
At the end of the day when I leave school, the high school parking lot is an absolute nightmare. Some days I’m convinced no one in the parking lot has their license. I’ve seen dozens of cars only seconds away from being hit, by kids too impatient to exit safely off of school campus. You can study to pass the written exam, but there’s no exam for immaturity. You can pass your driving exam, but there’s no telling how a 16-year-old will continue to drive under no supervision. There is research showing that children below the age of 18 are not able to make the most logical decisions due to the progressing development of their brains. Yet, children are still allowed to drive.
Handling a vehicle is an ongoing responsibility. Every time someone sits in the driver’s seat, they should be ready to drive properly. One mistake is all it takes to change a life. Drivers need to be fully focused, and aware of the power they hold with the possession of a vehicle. People often think nothing bad could happen to them, but events happen all the time to unsuspecting people. For me, driving starts before I start the engine. I walk around the car to make sure nothing is off. If I crashed due to an abnormality in my car, it would be my fault for not keeping up to date with maintenance. It’s crucial to also check car fluids, keep your mirrors and windows clean, as well as replace your tires when needed. When I start driving, I make sure my music isn’t too loud to hear my surroundings. I don’t sing or move around to the music when I know I need to concentrate, through intersections, making turns, and changing lanes. I don’t eat or drink while driving. I don’t look at my phone. I know that it only takes a second for something to go wrong.
For most teenagers with their permits, they get their licenses as soon as possible, after 6 months of driving with their parents. I believe I am more careful while driving when compared to the majority of my peers because I spent a year and a half with my permit. During this extra time, I was able to drive long distances. And through different areas, such as the city, and the country. I’ve gotten to experience all conditions of weather, something not everyone gets to learn before getting their license. I’m confident in my experiences. But still, I know my limits. Where I should and shouldn’t drive, when I should and shouldn’t drive. There is no changing the way my mom drives, but she and I are both aware of the differences between our driving. She must’ve realized that I would drive better with more time, so I am grateful and will continue to drive safely like she somehow taught me, in her own way.