When You Ignore What You Could Learn

Many people, especially teenagers my age, think that they are absolutely safe drivers. If this was the case, there wouldn’t be death rates by car accidents anywhere near as high as they are today. Drivers’ education is absolutely vital to reducing the number of deaths on the road. It is commonplace for me to hear high schoolers who are on the tract to get their license or permit say, “I chose to take the online course, I just let the videos play and ignore them, and do something else.” But as someone who attended the in-person classes, I can attest to just how important those lessons are. I think paying attention to those classes are incredibly important for reducing the number of deaths related to driving. Online courses are convenient; however, it is too common for people to ignore the lessons on them. It would be beneficial if there were a few required in person courses to supplement possible distraction from the ones online. I have been in a couple of car accidents, and although they were not serious, it would not have taken much for them to be much more dangerous. As a result, whenever I see my friends or sister driving distracted, I begin to worry about them. It makes me uncomfortable when they text and drive. My sister claims that she is good at it, so it’s safe. But all I can think of is my driving instructor telling me that texting while driving is the equivalent of driving blind.

It’s easy to feel invincible while driving, but it doesn’t take much more than a small mistake on your part or someone you’re sharing the road with to cause a dangerous accident. In my driver’s class, that message was something the instructors constantly reiterated. I know that my close friends are some of the students who disregarded their online drivers’ education courses, and I think that if they attended even one or two in person classes, they would make safer decisions on the road, and drive with more responsibility. The steps I can take to become a better, and a safer driver is to stay alert while driving, and just be conscious to stay aware of my surroundings. Paying attention to road signs can also aid in driving safely, which is yet another reason why drivers need to be educated on the dangers of distracted driving. Road signs are there to help drivers commute safely, and should you be texting, it is likely that you will miss some of them. I can help others be safe on the road by encouraging them to not distract themselves while driving. I could remind them that it’s not just themselves that they are risking, but all the other drivers around them too.

In addition to distracted driving, there are many highschoolers who drive impaired. Several of my friends have told me that they are, “Good at driving drunk or high.” I don’t believe that’s possible. My grandfather was an alcoholic, who accumulated several dui’s. My mom tells me stories of when she was in middle school. My grandpa would drive her to school already drunk. My mom told me about how she was always bracing for him to pass out. She was always ready to grab the wheel to steer the car to safety. After hearing stories like that, it is impossible to believe that anyone could be a “good” impaired driver. No matter what you think, your reactions are slow, your motor functions decrease, and you simply don’t make good decisions. All of these factors make driving in such a state extremely hazardous. But it does make me wonder how many other teenagers have this sort of mentality.

How many other people think that just because it’s something they do often, it’s safe? It is extremely concerning to hear my friends say those things. However, it’s even more concerning realizing how many students in my school would likely agree with them. It is dire that high school students learn and actually understand just how much of a danger they pose to themselves as well as all the other people they share the road with. That is why spreading information is so helpful. It is very possible that if high school students were aware of just how much at risk they are when driving impared, they would dramatically reduce the amount they do it. In addition to this, it may spark commitment in some students to spread the word about the dangers, thus creating a wave of information about safety. It is vital that they know that no one is safe to be behind the when while under the influence.