Take the Wheel

The first time I sat behind the wheel in the middle of an empty parking lot, my palms were sweating with anxiousness. I knew that as the driver, I had to be alert at all times, my attention couldn’t waver, as for one mistake, could lead to a fatal accident, one mistake could take someone’s life, whether it be mine, my passengers, other driver’s or pedestrians. The constant anxiousness that settled in my mind reminded me to be alert and careful whenever I drove on the road, even after a little more than a year of driving, the anxiousness hasn’t entirely left me. However, I think that anxiousness helps me on the road, it became an alert system so I would know to act fast if I needed to. Without this anxiousness, I think it would make the driver reckless, as there’s no fear or no sense of care of other’s lives and your own.

One of the most important things I’ve learned in drivers ed is to not make any reckless decisions while getting behind the wheel. I have dealt with almost losing a family member due to a driver being under the influence. And I think that leads to one of the most important things to learn in drivers ed: to not make any reckless decisions while getting behind the wheel. It’s important to know whether or not if you’re confident and cautious enough to drive at that time. There has been a rise in accidents due to drivers being under the influence of drugs, such as alcohol, especially among teens, and it’s the most devastating and cause the most fatal accidents. However, in drivers' education, they teach you the consequences of actions such as deciding if you want to drive whilst having drunk alcohol, and this is important because it shows the fact and the reality of these things, and what your decisions can lead to. Whether or not you think you’re able to ‘handle’ it isn’t the problem, it’s the fact that you’re potentially risking someone’s life just as much as yours.

A step to reduce the number of accidents on the road is mainly being aware of the problems, and drivers' education. The rising numbers of fatal accidents are scary and devastating, and with facts and with proper awareness and education, people will listen and be able to make safe decisions, and only then will we be able to reduce the number of accidents seen on the road.

Fortunately for me, I’ve only ever been in minor accidents, however that doesn’t mean there’s no risk whenever I’m on the road, there’s always a possibility of something happening to me or anyone else, there’s always a chance that one decision someone else makes could fatally impact my life just as much as anyone else’s.

The most important thing about being behind the wheel is to always be aware, and focused, as for anything that can distract you can end up being the accident on the road.