Getting a car, and driving on the black pavement, on the way to your next destination, is such a privilege in the United States. As a teenager myself, it is a privilege that could be taken away in a heartbeat. In the state of North Carolina, I know the age of driving is 15. We are made to go to a 3-day driving education where it is all class work. Then you wait to get a call from an education teacher and drive with them for 2 days. If you pass, then you get your learner permanent for a year until your next birthday.
During the 3-day program, we will learn all about the laws that are to be followed by the state. It is to learn all the road signs, the what-if situations and how to react if that situation comes up. Since as kids, we follow what our parents do, the teachers make sure that we know to always follow the law even if our parents don’t. Something that I still remember about what the teachers taught me was to stay calm in situations, and don’t react dangerously that could affect your life or others around you. Being 15 years old on a busy road is scary but your parents are there to help you and navigate the roads. I know it may be hard to listen to an individual's parents but you must do so to keep everyone safe. They have been on the roads way longer than we have, and as teenagers who know everything, it is our job to get everyone there safe.
The step to reduce fatalities while driving is to add more stricter laws while operating a vehicle. Usage of phones, radio, or really any electronic devices is such a big distraction and causes thousands of deaths per year. The text messages, snapchatting back your friends, and changing the music, can always wait if it means keeping yourself and others around you safe. A great thing to use while driving is to put your phone on and not disturb it because nothing is more important than risking your life. That phone will always be there and will continue if you die over it.
In newer car models there are more safety features such as lane control, which means if you exit the white or yellow lines, the car will jerk it back in. Emergency braking is also another feature that will detect if you are getting too close to a vehicle in front of you. It will either prevent or lessen the damage of a collision with the automatic emergency braking system. Car dealerships are constantly making new features to help furthermore the safety of driving since the number of deaths goes up every year. Also that could help reduce deaths is refresher classes that adults should take, to refresh their brain on newer laws and to make sure they are safe to drive.
Personable experience with crashes or hit-runs can cause a traumatic experience. Everyone's experience is different and how it may affect them. Fortunately for me, I have never had any sort of accident. I had a friend that went through a very traumatic accident. She had just got her learner's permit and was driving with both her parents. They were heading back from a Christmas family get-together at night. I know not everyone's parents warn them but, mine have to always watch out for drunk drivers at night. The unimaginable happened when the drunk driver ran a red light and struck the passenger side of the vehicle. It was a miracle that no one got hurt or seriously injured. But unfortunately for my friend, she was too afraid to drive for a whole year. I learned to always look both ways before I drive under a green light definitely when there is not much traffic or at night.
I have another experience that hits more home for me since it happened to my mom. For her old job, she had to travel a great amount to Georgia and back to Mount Olive. Some roads and interstates are insanely busy. This particular weekend she was traveling on an interstate. She was driving a 4runner at the time and she has always said to be aware of your surroundings. Well, she was paying attention, and the eighteen-wheeler came into her lane where she had to get into the emergency lane so she didn’t get in a crash. Now she makes sure to get away from the big trucks or either speeds past them or stay back. I’ve learned to always be mindful of my surroundings.
Knowing that driving is a privilege, I know to be careful while driving and to not have any distractions. I need to focus on the road at all times and look out for the safety of myself and others too. I have been taught to never assume other actions of drivers, be ready to react whenever that time may come and stay calm in a situation.