I’m Driving and Following Rules

My name is Jeanessa Gant, I am proud 2019 graduate of Riverside University High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and I currently attend University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh as a transfer from Iowa State. The importance of driver education in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving is very crucial these days. Driver education provides individuals step by step details from one point to the next during a specific time frame and gives individuals the “hands-on” experience of displaying all that they have learned during courses prior to driving and receiving a license. With all that is going on in the world today, one must wonder what steps should be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving.

I would say the steps that need to be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving should be; follow rules (buckle up for safety/drive speed limit), observe other drivers (pay close attention to them), do not eat while driving, place phone in a secure spot (do not hold in hand while driving), do not drink while driving and most of all be mindful of your passengers. Make sure your passengers agree with your choice to follow every rule for the road, if not they may need to sit this ride out.

I thank God for covering me and guiding me while on the road. Although I haven’t been in an accident, my cousin (who I call my best friend) was in a horrific accident the start of his senior year of high school. I was at school and I recall my mother sending me a message that said, “pray for your cousin he was just in a bad car accident”. All I remember was the tears rolling down my face while I let the information soak into my mind. For the rest of the day I thought about him and prayed that he was alright. When I finally got the chance to see him, all I could hear him say was I knew I shouldn’t have been there, and my car is gone. As we talked, my thoughts were “a car can be replaced but your life can’t”. To this day I find myself always making sure that I am abiding by the rules of the road and being safe for myself and others.

To help myself become the best or let’s say safest driver, I have literally memorized the rules of the road. A lot of people just get behind the wheel without knowing all the rules and begin to put themselves and others in danger. I pay close attention to other drivers out there because there are some that tend to become distracted and just like the start of this essay, driver education is crucial but for some it may not be as important. I have found myself reminding my friends to put on their seat belts while driving and to turn their music down so the distraction does not become a problem while driving.