IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT

IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT

Arrive Alive!

Driving in today’s world is hectic and dangerous. In the past decade, technology has taken over. Cell phones are now a distraction for most drivers. The world is growing daily and so are the number of vehicles on our roads and highways. Young drivers are more acceptable to this distraction. It has become the number one killer for teenagers, driving and texting! Don’t do it and arrive alive!

In order to arrive alive at your destination, one must not be distracted while driving. Everyone needs to realize that people’s lives are in their hands, literally. Driving is a huge responsibility. We must do our part and put the phones away, Too many people die every year from distracted drivers. Everyone should set the phones to Do Not Disturb mode while driving. Drivers should keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road at all times. Anytime I ride with someone else, I try to pay close attention to their driving. If they are driving too fast or careless, I speak up and advise them to be careful. Everyone must remember it is not only the people’s lives in your vehicle but others on the road as well.

While sitting in the driver’s seat, your actions could take someone’s life in a second. If this was to happen, that driver will have to live with the guilt of taking a life, and deal with the When I was a young boy, we lived in the country. We had plenty of fields and dirt roads. My parents started teaching me how to drive as early as 5 years old. Even though I couldn’t reach the pedals, I still could steer. As soon as I could reach the pedals, I was driving. I know this helped me to learn to drive at an early age. But I still had no practice around other vehicles. I still needed to learn the rules of the highways, also. Practice does make perfect! You still have to look out for the other drivers.

According to The National Safety Council reports that 1.6 million crashes happen every year because of someone using a phone while driving. Around 390,000 injuries happen yearly from accidents caused by texting & driving. Approximately 34,000 people die every year from using cell phones while driving in America. Drivers are 24 times likely to be involved in an accident if they use their cell phones while driving. Young drivers need to have practice driving before hitting the highways. Most states have outlawed phone usage while driving. But unfortunately, people still use their phones while on the roads.

Cell phones are not the only distraction while driving. There are many other distractions that can cause accidents. It only takes a second to cause a fatality. People get distracted with food, drinks, radios and passengers. One must keep your eyes on the road at all times. Every state need to bring back Drivers Ed in all high schools. Drivers Ed can be a life saving class for many young drivers. This may be there only chance to learn the rules and to get the practice driving. New drivers needs practice and knowledge of the rules of the roads. I believe Drivers Ed should be mandatory for all students in high school.

Personally, I have been involved in one accident. It was not my fault. The driver that hit me was pulling out from a side road. Traffic was backed up in the right lane but flowing in the left. Another vehicle motioned for the man to pull out, as if there were no vehicles coming. The man took their word for it and went. This resulted him colliding with my vehicle in the left lane. If you can’t see clearance yourself, do not trust someone’s suggestion. Luckily, no one was injured but damage to both vehicles was the result. Now that man will have to pay higher insurance rates due to his negligence.

The bottom line is when in the driver’s seat, one must realize the responsibility that lies on your shoulders. You have to pay very close attention to your driving and pay attention to the other drivers! Keep all distractions away from your thinking process. Do not speed and give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. It is better to arrive early than never make it at all. If we all slowed down and keep all phones out of reach, there would be less accidents and less injuries. Arrive alive!