A
few years ago, my dad was stopped at a light and rear-ended by a
distracted driver. The entire car was smashed in like an accordian.
My dad suffered from a severe concussion, a bruised body, and had to
get eighteen staples on the top of his head after it was split open.
My dad almost lost his life because sending a text message was a
bigger priority to the driver who hit him, than focusing on the road
and the safety of others.

Driver
education should be seen as a privilege, not a task to check off on a
personal to-do list. Between online programs, summer courses, and
practice sessions, drivers ed lays out the necessary rules and
disciplines for being a safe and smart driver. School programs teach
young teenagers the dangers and responsibilities associated with
having a license. They depict the tragic reality of drivers who fail
to follow the basic rules and regulations of the road, and those who
think they are invincible behind the wheel. Such programs have a
long-lasting impact on many individuals, reminding them to think
twice before doing something careless while in the driver’s seat.
Drivers ed serves as an important platform to protect the lives
of those behind the wheel, because it teaches individuals not only
the skills to drive, but the consequences that result from
irresponsible mistakes.

Whether
it be because of intoxication, drowsiness, or a text message, there
are many ways to reduce the number of driving-related deaths. To name
one, frequent CHP checkpoints can pull intoxicated individuals off
the road and prevent them from harming other drivers. More phone
restrictions could be placed on smartphones, only allowing
voice-text, phone calls, and GPS to be used while driving. A big part
of reducing the number of driving related deaths is awareness and
informing the public through more extensive drivers ed programs
and external forces.


I
am careful with who I drive with and am usually the one driving. I
have seen many of my friends and peers drive distracted, way over the
speed limit, and even intoxicated, not through internal experience,
but through Snapchat stories. The thought of being in one of those
cars terrifies me, not only concerned for my own life, but innocent
drivers around them. I feel more comfortable driving knowing that I’m
the one behind the wheel, safe from distractions and irrational
driving habits.

Whenever
I have someone in the car, I always make sure they are the ones to
change music, look up directions, etc. to limit unnecessary
distractions. It’s important to me to be a safe and cautious driver
because I don’t want to risk my own life, or have any other driver
around me lose theirs because of easily preventable mistakes. I am
always one to encourage others to drive closer to the speed limit and
more cautiously, even if it means they will be late to where they are
going. I never want anyone risking their own life behind the wheel.