In The Driver’s Seat – Dian Poremba

As a teenager, learning to drive is a huge milestone in my life; I get to go anywhere I want without asking someone to give me a ride! A car and a pair of keys are all you need right? Nope. The most important thing is knowing what to do while you’re in the driver’s seat. The importance of drivers ed in reducing the number of deaths caused by driving is teaching those who are behind the wheel that when you are on the road operating a vehicle, the lives of those around you and your own life is on the line when you’re driving. Someone who has no understanding of traffic laws, no knowledge of operating a vehicle properly, or does not know what to do in sticky situations should not be allowed to drive until they are properly educated. Reckless driving is not tolerated at all, but that can be prevented with a proper drivers ed course. Less reckless drivers mean fewer deaths, and injuries will occur. Driving a car or any vehicle is a big part of our daily lives. We drive when we go to work, school, travel, etc. If you’re going to drive, you should know what you’re doing and how to react to prevent potentially fatal consequences that either harm you or anyone else that’s in a car, or walking across the street.

One of the biggest causes of death while driving is texting while behind the wheel. Before you hop into your car to meet up with your friends at a party, you should let them know you’re going to be driving and won’t be able to answer any text messages. This lets your friends and loved ones know that you are not taking the risk of possibly being put in a dire situation caused by texting and driving. If you do happen to get a text message while you are driving, do not text back while you’re operating a car. If it is an emergency, pullover into an available area away from traffic such as a parking lot at a grocery store.

While I was in a car with my dad or my older brother, a couple of times I had caught them using their phone while driving. I would yell at them to put their phone away and they would sometimes reply “I’m fine, I know what I am doing”. In this situation, expect the unexpected. Don’t assume everything is going to be “fine”.

Before I drive, I make sure to silence my phone and put it face down in the cup holder so I won’t be tempted to take my eyes off the road. I also suggest to other people to review a handbook on driving laws if you are not sure about something. It is better to be safe than sorry, especially if you’re the one in the driver’s seat.