One Decision

One Decision

By Lorna Smith

One bad decision is all it takes to change someone’s life. Making the decision to drive recklessly can affect yourself and others in catastrophic ways. I have dealt with this kind of tragedy first-hand. My uncle was hit by a drunk driver, and lost his life when he was only twenty-six years old. His death opened my eyes to how unsafe the roads can be. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens.” This statistic could change dramatically if teenagers took a drivers ed course. Remembering my uncle, I told myself I would do everything I could to be the safest driver that I could be.

This summer, I completed my drivers ed course. There were two parts to my course. The first part included written tests. I studied a book and took chapter tests over several weeks. The second part was getting to drive under the supervision of our drivers ed instructor. I believe both of these parts prove vital to the teenage driver’s success. Not only does it build your knowledge about the rules of the road, but it also gives you experience driving. A recent study from the University of Nebraska said, “Young drivers who have not completed drivers ed are 75 percent more likely to get a traffic ticket, 24 percent more likely to be involved in a fatal or injury accident and 16 percent more likely to have an accident.”

There are many steps drivers should take to make the roadways safer for everyone. First, allow ample time to make it to your destination. My mom once told me a story about how she was late to church. She was driving over the speed limit, and a cop pulled her over and asked why she was speeding. She told him that she was late for church, and the cop’s response was, “God will always wait!” Second, always wear a seatbelt! If you are ever in a collision, the seatbelts are designed to keep you in place and work with your airbags. It dramatically reduces the risk of death and serious injury, and can also affect your auto insurance rates. Third, when you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, never drive. Either designate a driver in advance, or call a friend or family member to take you home. Last, always have your full attention on the road. Do not be distracted by passengers, cellular devices, or the radio. Passengers can read your messages, adjust the radio, or give you directions so you are fully focused on driving. 

Driving is a big responsibility. I believe drivers ed courses help new drivers become better acclimated to the road, and result in better outcomes for teenage drivers. Following a few simple steps can save your life and the lives of others. By informing new generations of better driving habits, we are making roads safer for the whole population.