Safe
Travels

Finally!
You are a licensed driver! There are a vast amounts of freedoms that
come with getting behind the wheel, but as you have probably heard at
least once, “with great freedom, comes great responsibility”.
Driving and operating a motor vehicle is no exception to this phrase.
While having the privilege of driving is an honor, you must be sure
to abide by the rules and regulations of the road.

Applying
the lessons learned in drivers ed courses makes you less of
a risk to others and yourself when navigating the roads. It is
important to take each and every practice learned in these courses
because it may save someone else’s or your own life. With the
alarming amount of people hurt or injured in a day, month, or year
due to a motor vehicle collision can be frightening to anyone. What
is even more chilling is the number of these accidents that could
have prevented.


Fatal
crashes unfortunately do occur at unnerving rate, but here are
preventive measures decrease the out-come of you putting yourself or
someone else in danger. First, it is crucial that you and your car
are in a condition to drive. If you are intoxicated or drowsy refrain
from driving no matter the distance. A car that does not pass your
states inspection regulations should not be on the road. Nowadays,
there are carpool services less than fifteen dollars such as Lyft, or
Uber. Never hesitate to utilize these resources or someone that is
proper condition to get behind the wheel. Always make sure that you
are clear of or are able to minimize distractions. Things or people
that could take your eyes off the road should if possible, should be
attended to before driving. In case of a collision make sure that you
are insured. If it is not necessary for you travel at night, then it
is safer if you do not. While headlights do help with visibility of
the roadways, vision for some can become more limited.

Two
years ago after my sister’s party, my aunt and cousins were going
to head home. Since it was late my parents insisted she and her
daughters stay the night. Their drive home would take nearly two
hours and it was raining. Even though we all begged and pleaded, she
still decided that she would go. Not even ten minutes later my mom
got a call. She was frantic and crying so I knew something happened.
It turns that another car had crashed in them totaling her car.
Thankfully my aunt and cousins were okay as well as all passengers in
the other car. Although physically okay, my uncle drives up here,
because my aunt still is emotionally shaken at the thought of having
to drive herself here.


My
family and are fortunate to still have my aunt and cousins, but there
are some families that cannot say the same. I will do everything in
my power when I’m driving to protect myself and others. When I am
operating my vehicle I will follow the rules of the road. I promise
this so that after every trip someone can safely get home to their
family as well as myself. I can’t imagine the pain felt when
someone gets a call to notify them of the worst news anyone could
possibly get. It was frightening for me to be so close to losing
people I care so much about, so I would never want to put anyone
through that pain.