Safe Driving Keeps Lives Thriving

Laura
Klump

Driver
Education Initiative

June
4 2019

Safe
Driving Keeps Lives Thriving

Unbelievably,
over 34,000 Americans die each year due to driving related incidents.
This number is extremely high and disturbing, although it does not
gain much attention. In 2005, the number of deaths caused by drivers
totaled over 40,000 that year. Many people do not take driving as a
very serious matter, however, it is a huge responsibility put in the
drivers hand as soon as they sit in that driver’s seat. The driver
is now responsible for themselves, any passengers in their car, as
well as surrounding cars and pedestrians. Driving requires much more
responsibility than many may realize, and alot more attention needs
to be given to the road as soon as you hit that driver’s seat.

It
is not very hard to be a safe and educated driver. Of course, after
receiving your license, it can be extremely exciting. However, you
should always be in a calm state of mind when you are behind the
wheel. It is important to always keep your phone out of reach to
prevent from checking texts or phone calls. Texting while driving is
extremely dangerous, not only to yourself, but to others as well. In
addition, it is important to always be completely focused on the
road; not blasting music or paying attention to other people in the
car. It is always better to be safe than sorry, and it is always
better to arrive alive.

I
have personally been involved in an accident, fortunately, no one was
injured. The roads were wet and I hydroplaned into another car. It
was terrifying for me to get into my first accident. What am I
supposed to do? Although it was not the best situation, I learned
from it and have become a better driver because of it. Because of
this experience, I now make sure I leave plenty of spacing between
cars, especially when it is wet outside, as well as leaving ahead of
time to give myself an extra 15 minutes to get wherever I am going.
By doing this, it ensures that I will not be in a rush to get
somewhere and will prevent me from speeding or reckless driving. It
is extremely important to me to be a responsible and smart driver
because I paid for my car and pay for my insurance. If I am in an
accident, it all falls on me to take care of things. I never want to
be in an accident again, so I do everything I can to be a safe,
smart, and responsible driver.

Reckless
driving can cause people to lose those close to them. It is extremely
risky and is not worth the risk. When my uncle was 16, a drunk driver
ran a red light, killing him in this car accident. My uncle’s name
was Doug and he was on his way home from a wrestling match the night
he lost his life. Doug was less than 2 miles away from his house when
he was killed and the passenger in the car walked away with just a
scratch. It is crazy to think about; what would have happened if he
were not killed? He was supposed to win State in wrestling that year.
Would he have won? Would he have become the most successful doctor in
the country? Would we be having Christmas at his house this year? The
thing is, we will never know. We will never know because another
person did not make a responsible or smart decision before getting
into the driver’s seat. I never got the chance to meet my uncle
Doug, but sometimes I think about what things could be different now.
However, I know that I never want to be responsible for the loss of
another person’s life through my own reckless driving. This is why
I always ensure that I am 100% focused on the road and paying
attention to my surroundings. I never want to be the reason someone
does not get to fulfill their future; safe driving keeps others lives
thriving to their full potential. Do not be the one that takes it
away from them.