As a grade 12 student who began driving two years ago, road safety is a priority for me as I know that practicing safe driving is difference between life and death. Understanding the reality behind driving regulations, and the many people who continue to disregard regulations, means the safe driving is not necessarily the norm.
Through personal experience, I have realized I know that being an educated driver is essential. More educated drivers are less likely to cause accidents or crashes resulting in fewer deaths, injuries and damaged vehicles. My parents insisted I enroll in a drivers ed course, ensuring I was as educated on road safety. The course includes classroom sessions related to safe driving, key driving habits and skills that enable young and inexperienced drivers to be equipped with the knowledge necessary for keeping everyone safe on the roads.
Nine driving lessons are included in the program and were helpful as I learned alongside a trained professional who helped me become a more confident and responsible driver. Not only did the instructor benefit my learning for the road, but was able to do so in a way that decreased anxiety for driving. Before my drivers education experience, I wasn’t confident in my driving abilities, which resulted in hesitation and me not being aware of my surroundings while driving. My instructor taught me how to clear my mind before entering the vehicle, how to plan my route, and identify challenging areas. Pre-planning has provided a benefit to me because I am thinking ahead to prepare myself for busier or potentially unsafe regions where my alertness and close attention to my surroundings is essential. I will use these skills learned from formal driving class to promote the importance of safe driving and decision-making on the road.
At present, I had the opportunity to attend a presentation by ICBC with speaker John Westhaver. ICBC is responsible for providing all registered drivers with universal public auto insurance. John Westhaver shared a moving and traumatic story about his past that was related to unsafe driving, involving the deaths of three friends. I listened and heard firsthand from someone who experienced the consequences of driving under the influence and this changed my perspective and my thinking process when getting behind the wheel of a car. I understand the importance of the law of overloading and driving under the influence. Although rules such as overloading seem harsh and unnecessary, it is clear why it is a rule after hearing John’s story. John is an example of an individual who is taking the steps to reduce the number of deaths on the road by sharing his personal story.
John’s story ignited the importance of educated driving. However, I have also learned this through personal experience. When I was 8, I was in a scary car accident where we were t-boned. Though I was flung forward, no one was seriously injured. That experience underscored the importance of stopping efficiently and safely at a yellow light. I would never want anyone to experience this feeling, or be in an accident and severely injured. To promote safe driving and awareness, I believe that organizing school workshops including influential speakers, like Mr. Westhaver, would be valuable. I also will write a letter of appreciation to the school board for bringing him to our school, including the influence that he had, and that could potentially ignite this same idea for other schools and have a positive impact on young drivers.
To further encourage safe driving habits, I recommend taking drivers ed classes. I found this incredibly helpful. I feel confident on the roads because drivers education equips their students for emergencies while driving, the importance of developing good habits early and thoroughly understanding road rules.
Throughout all this, it is important to acknowledge the undeniable fact that it can take near-death experiences to understand the importance behind safe driving and awareness on the road. As a young driver, my role is to set a good example to other young drivers for good driving habits to become the normal and the expected for day to day driving. Alternative steps such as continuing to seek out stories like Mr. Westhaver’s, are actions we can undertake to be better and safer drivers. Although they are difficult to endure, taking time to listen to traumatic experiences will lower the likelihood of having to endure the loss of loved ones.