Name: Cristina Westmoreland
From: Christiansburg, VA
Votes: 0
As
teenagers, we don’t take certain classes as seriously as we should.
Drivers ed is one of those classes in particular. People have
the attitude of “it will never happen to me.” In High School we
are required to take drivers ed and learn about traffic laws
and rules. Most people have the attitude that these rules are common
sense and that there is no need to pay attention but the reality is
this is all information that could change your life if you make one
incorrect decision.
There
are many steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths
related to driving.
One
concept would be mandatory seat belt equipment in all cars. A system
that would not allow you to turn a vehicle on unless everyone had
secured their safety belt. If the vehicle won’t start unless
seatbelts are fastened, people will most likely use one. Another
helpful concept would be additional police presence to enforce
traffic safety laws. If people see officers out, they are more likely
to obey the laws.
I have
personally experienced the effect of poor drivers ed when a
fellow classmate lost her life in 2018. She was not wearing a
seatbelt and allowing someone to drive her car who did not have a
driver’s license. Additionally, speed in excess of 80 mph played a
factor. It is a heartbreaking fact that if a seatbelt had been
worn, laws were followed along with speed limits, she would most
likely still be here. Traffic safety laws are set in place for a
reason and they should be followed.
There is
always room for improvement in being a better driver. One way is to
always being aware of your surroundings. Many accidents can be
avoided if drivers are paying attention to the road and not allowing
distractions. Another way to avoid accidents is not over
correcting. Over correcting is a major cause of many accidents. Not
only can someone help themselves avoid an accident but you can also
help your friends. If you see a friend or family member driving
erratically make sure to point it out. It is better to correct them
then lose them to a driving mistake that could have been prevented.
Driving
is not something that should ever be taken lightly. By becoming
educated and informed we can make a difference in saving lives. I
hope to be able to make a difference in the way drivers ed is
viewed and help people understand the importance of the class at an
early age and throughout their lives.
