Why Being a Good Driver Matters

Most teenagers wish to get their permits instantly, then hit the road. The excitement of newfound freedom is very attractive to teens who have been instructed exactly on how to lead their lives for most of their childhoods. Still, there is one major step to take before getting behind the wheel. Learning how to drive! Getting behind the wheel without taking drivers ed is like asking someone who has never constructed a building before to build a twenty-foot building. Talk about a big responsibility with little preparation! Drivers ed is a new driver’s manual to driving smartly and safely on the road. Without it, new drivers would be making mistakes that could cost other’s lives, as well as their own. While learning to drive is a continuous process that cannot be learned in a day, it is imperative to lay down the foundation before letting new drivers drive completely independently.

Given how risky driving can be, it is important that anyone who gets behind the wheel understands that they have an important responsibility. They must realize that each and every time they drive, they are put at risk by themselves and others. As drivers, we all must prioritize safe driving habits such as: staying sober (assigning designated drivers or using riding apps), staying alert (remaining off the phone or limiting radio adjustment,), and practicing small yet useful driving habits (checking all mirrors/making sure they are in correct positioning, using turning signals, being aware of blind spots, using headlights when appropriate). Using all of these skills concurrently will make anyone a better driver than not using them all or only a select few. 

Unfortunately, I have been in a minor car accident. I was turning out of a parking lot into a two-lane street and tried to get into the lane furthest to the left (left turn lane). Instead of just merging into that line from the lane closest to where I was, I tried to make a wide turn into the left turn lane, causing me to collide with a car that was coming down the lane closest to me. Luckily, no one was hurt and little to no damage was done to both cars. From this experience, I learned that I must fully observe any and all driving situations before committing to action. I also must practice patience, as I felt my anxiety begin to creep up as I noticed the line of cars growing behind me as they waited for me to make my turn. 

Every time I get behind the wheel, I vow to be the best driver I can. Not by being “cool” by appeasing others by going over the speed limit or not wearing a seat belt. Instead, I try to lead by example by using turn signals, going the speed limit, and staying attentive and focused to the road. If I see bad driving behavior from a friend, I tell them that it is wrong and help them think of methods to correct it.