The
dreaded 4 hour drug and alcohol course everyone fears when obtaining
their permit, may actually be doing some good out in the world. This
course may seem boring; however, it reduces the number of deaths
resulting from driving. Teens recognize that safety is more important
than conforming with their friends by drinking and driving. Many
realize their life is not worth risking in order to be a part of the
popular crew. In the state of Florida this course (Traffic
Law and Substance Abuse Education course) is mandated in order to
obtain a learner’s permit if under the age of 18. The course
teaches all the safety rules of the road, as well as the risky
results that may occur if something goes awry, such as drinking and
driving or the effect of drugs and driving. This is just one step
taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. Another step
would be to install a breathalyzer into someone’s car after a 1st
time offense of a DUI. This would prevent the liability of killing or
hurting someone else just by taking one breath. If this was mandated
by the justice system, it would have prevented a terrifying memory
implanted in my mind. Two summers ago I was hanging around with my
friends at a party, and I found myself taking a particular liking in
one of the senior boys. I began talking to him and at the end of the
night he offered me a ride home, reluctantly I agreed knowing that he
had a drink or two. We were laughing and having a great time when all
of a sudden he ran a red light he hadn’t seen and we nearly were
t-boned. If the driver did not slam on their brakes I do not think I
would be here today. My heart skipped a beat and he began apologizing
and confessing he drank a little and he thought that he was okay to
drive. He was all shaken up and at the end of the night I asked my
parents if he could sleep over to prevent any accidents and they
agreed. Now looking back on that memory, I could have told him to
keep his eyes on the road and not have been such a distraction to
him. If I would have done so it would have allowed us to be safer on
the road. I understand that what they teach us before obtaining our
licenses is that it is actually valuable information and needs to be
kept in mind, because one day it could save someone’s life.