Name: Nairi Semerdjian
From: Lancaster, California
Votes: 0
Nairi
Semerdjian
DmvEdu
Scholarship
30
November 19
In
the Driver Seat
Imagine,
a little girl living in the suburbs. She fantasizes about what it
will be like when she gets her own license/car as she watches TV
shows and movies like Mean Girls or Clueless that shows friends
driving to the mall or somewhere to eat during their lunch break, a
definite upgrade from school cafeteria food, or even just driving
places to hang out over the weekend. Now our little girl has grown a
little and has entered high school. She finds herself to be pretty
popular. Then, girly turns 16. On her birthday, she goes to take her
drivers test and after studying for months, she passes with flying
colors. On the same day, her parents get her a car. Not just any car,
a BMW, her DREAM car. Now back at school everyone is fascinated with
her new car and it is amazing. She finally has what she wanted. All
her childhood fantasies came true. She had it all. That weekend she
is invited to a killer sweet 16 for one of her best friends. She
arrives with her boyfriends and after a few hours, she realizes that
the party is way out of control. Everyone is going crazy, smoking,
her boyfriend is drunk and after long thought, she decides to go home
and take her drunk boyfriend home too. Once on the road, her phone
starts blowing up with text. ¨Why did you leave?, Come back? Good-
Toshoes. Buzzkill.¨ After a few minutes of non-stop notifications,
the girl goes to tell everyone to stop texting. As she starts to post
her message, she runs a red light and is hit by an 18 wheeler turning
left. And her message was never sent, for the girl and her boyfriend
are dead. As teenagers, we are under a lot of stress with homework,
classwork, getting good grades, scholarships, college, chores, love
interests, popularity status, physical appearance, etc. Also as
teenagers, we are growing into more independent people and with
independence comes responsibility. We all want cars and licenses. It
not only makes use look cool but gives us some independence. Although
the processes of receiving a license, maintaining one and abiding the
law is stressful. We have a lot on our plate to worry about so adding
something else important only makes use lash out and make mistakes.
It causes us to worry and lose focus which, in a vehicle, not only
endangers you but everyone else on the road or even in your car. In
America, an average of 34,000 people are killed as a result of
driving. To decrease this, here are 10 ways to stay safe next time
you hit the road.
-
Don’t
text and drive -
Don’t
drink and drive -
Never
drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs -
Always
wear a seatbelt -
When
you get into the car, adjust all mirrors and seats before placing
the key in the ignition. -
Pay
attention to all signs -
Always
use your turn signals -
Keep
your eyes on the road -
Don
́t play music or any audio too loud -
Be
aware of your surroundings
