Strive To Be Better

Driving is a
great responsibility for any age. As a younger driver, I know that
the decisions I make today can affect me the rest of my life. The
advancement in technology and the number of opportunities to be
distracted has increased. Many people feel they have control over
it but they are fooling themselves. Research shows that from the
years of 17-21 years of age, there is brain development that occurs
and it explains the “invincible” reasoning with this age group.
Distractions are no respecter of age though: Business persons
checking email, mom’s distracted by children, teens posting on
social media and the list continues.

The phone
companies have made efforts to give you more options in promoting
safe driving. AT&T for instance, has a driver mode that informs
anyone contacting you that you are driving. There is also more voice
activated controls that help as well. Insurance companies offer safe
driver discounts and have smart devices you can install that gives a
driving report. I will be taking a refresher course soon that not
only help with the insurance payment but will help me be a better
driver.

Although my
parents did not install a device to monitor my driving, they did get
a standard “stick shift” that doesn’t give me the opportunity
to text. It really takes self-control to resist the temptation to
text so I turn down my phone so I am not tempted to hear
notifications. It is amazing how many people I see scrolling
through their screen while driving. It shows that it is important to
be a defensive driver and all you were taught in drivers ed to
watch for those around you and to be a defensive driver.

Thank you for
this scholarship opportunity and giving me some time to stop and
check my driving. Hopefully, this can be an example for others.