In The Driver’s Seat

Youth Forward Scholarship 2019

In the Driver’s Seat

Patience is
definitely a virtue. I could not wait to turn 17 and pass the
driver’s test. I was always careful and paid attention to all of
the signs on the road during practice drives. Finally, I was in the
driver’s seat. I will never forget the day when my God-father
allowed me to drive his car. I was eager to show him that I could
handle being the driver. The most memorable thing about that ride
was when I parked safely in the driveway. My God-father taught me a
lesson that I do not remember seeing in the driver’s manual. He
said, “when you drive, you must drive carefully for the people on
the road who are not careful”. That never crossed my mind from
that angle. It wasn’t until I was involved in my first accident
three months after receiving my license in the mail. Thank God me
nor the other driver was hurt. The interesting part is she was a
teenager too! We both were frightened.

Though the
fault was not mine, that was not the important thing. What my
God-father said kept coming to my mind. I am so grateful I had
instructors who were focused on teaching me caution on the road. I
value the lessons I received from drivers’ education classes.
Knowing is indeed half the battle. Education of drivers is vital in
reducing the number of accidents and deaths resulting from driving
because it teaches us to drive for our neighbors on the road. One
step I recommend to reducing driving accidents is to make driver’s
education on-going. Doctors must continuously take continuing
medical education classes to enhance their skills. The same should
be for drivers who, in a sense, have other people’s lives in their
hands when they drive. Driver’s safety education should be taught
in schools before we reach our teen years when the anticipation of
driving shadows the responsibilities that come with that freedom.

Establishing trust at
home is also important for drivers ed. Like with any
lesson, family members should be actively involved in not just the
mechanics of driving. Safety techniques and the role of distractive
actions should be discussed at home. Parents and older siblings must
be active in reminding young drivers that texting, loud radio volume,
and clowning around with friends in the car not only places the
driver and passenger at risk. Everyone on the road are now at risk.
I’m lucky this is forbidden in my family of drivers. Remember,
looking away for a second is much longer time than it takes to strike
another vehicle. STAY WOKE! So, if you’re in the driver’s seat
make sure safety is first. Education is knowledge. Safety begins
with education. Education leads to better decisions, when you’re
in the driver’s seat-knowledge is power!