From Behind the Wheel

“Watch out we
got a new young driver on our hands, let me stay off the roads,”
my uncle would say when I first received my drivers permit. I was 15
when I got my permit and was scared of the road. Being young and
driving came with so many responsibilities that I didn’t want to do
and wasn’t ready for, but I had to grow up and put myself behind the
wheel and drive. My mom would always tell me that when you’re driving
you don’t just drive for yourself but you drive for everyone around
you. One wrong turn or wrong stop may not only affect you but can
hurt someone else who is on the road with you that’s why it is so
important to learn how to drive safely. My drivers ed class
didn’t just teach me the different signs and what the lines on the
road meant, but that careless and selfish driving can hurt and kill
people.

My senior year of
high school I lost a fellow classmate to reckless driving. One Friday
night he and his friends were speeding and driving around recklessly
when my classmate, Kaleb, who was standing out the sunroof ejected
from the car as they speed through a big curve. Everyone in the car
wasn’t hurt but Kaleb was lying unconscious on the ground. When his
friends moved his body on the ground it disrupted his spine which led
to him having a brain injury that resulted in him dying. His friends
were heartbroken and knew that from their immature and careless
driving they lost someone important to them. That’s why it is
important to always drive safely because you never know what could
happen in a quick stop or turn.

Driving is something
that a lot of young people don’t take as seriously as they should and
it is important that students take drivers ed very seriously.
Many young people when they first get their license then get a car
like to show off and “stunt” for their peers and many times
they show off dangerously. The best way to get new and young drivers
to take driving more seriously is to make sure they really know the
consequences when driving immaturely. If a student is very well at
driving but lacks the importance of being safe then they shouldn’t be
able to drive just because they can drive good. Also, if a student
isn’t ready to learn to drive forcing them doesn’t help, putting
someone unprepared on the road isn’t safe for them or other drivers.
When I first was able to drive I did not want to, I slowly began
after I got my license and now I’m very comfortable with driving.
Driving comes with courage and responsibilities and to keep everyone
safe a driver needs both.

Lastly, some tips
for young drivers. First don’t take risks, whether cars are coming
and you think you should turn or its flooding and you want to go out
if you have to think about if you should go, then you shouldn’t.
Secondly, don’t drive when you’re in a rush. Rushing causes speeding
and making poor driving decisions, if you’re 9 times out of 10 you’re
going to be late. Lastly, do not get in a car with someone who is
under the influence. It doesn’t matter if they had 1 to 10 drinks if
they drunk or took some substances the can inhibit their driving keep
you, yourself, and everyone on the road safe. These are only a few
steps, but everyone one can affect you and those around you so it is
better to be safe then anything.