Drivers Education

As I was approaching the allowable driving age in the state of PA, I started to realize that I honestly knew very little about the rules and regulations of driving. For years, my only focus was being able to drive so that I would have more independence. I never really thought about the responsibility that you undertake when you get behind the wheel of a vehicle. Reading the drivers education manual definitely helped me understand this as well as the things I didn’t already know, reaffirm what I did know from watching my parents on a daily basis, and even helped me realize some misconceptions I had. To start, there were a ton of rules and road signs that I was unfamiliar with. Also, driving wasn’t as easy as it looked. Without the manual, it is extremely easy to make a driving mistake. The slightest of mistakes can easily cause and accident and even take a life. Even after passing the tests, it wouldn’t hurt to familiarize yourself with the drivers’ education manual every year or so. My parents have even mentioned before that they think individuals should have to retake the drivers test every ten years or so. If you don’t encounter something on a daily basis, it is easy to forget. After all, routine and practice makes perfect. Understanding that driving is a privilege is another huge step to reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving. Unfortunately, once individuals get comfortable, what they have learned seems to go by the wayside and the carelessness begins. The most common instance of carelessness I see occur is texting and driving. To stop this from happening, a persons’ phone should either be out of reach or hands free should be activated. One can even pull over safely, of course, and respond to the text they feel it might be important. Waiting, though, is obviously the safest method. As a teen, another common action I see/hear often is loud music. If the radio is too loud, it is hard to stay focused on the road and be fully aware of your surroundings. For instance, you might not hear sirens or beeping, which are attempting to alert you of an existing situation. Or maybe a motorcycle came up beside you and is now in your blind spot, which you would have heard had your music not been too loud. I know my dad gets upset with my mom all the time because he says that if something isn’t directly in front of her, she doesn’t see it. He has taught me the importance of not only being aware of how you are acting, but how those around you are acting because you might need to react quickly but safely. Too often you also hear about lives lost due to drinking and driving. The only rule you should have regarding drinking and driving is merely not to do it. It is so easy to call a friend, parent, or even an Uber to take you home safely. Installing a breathalyzer machine in all vehicles where the vehicle won’t start without being able to pass the blood alcohol level could eliminate this problem for those people who refuse to make the call. Some people also drive recklessly by tailgating, speeding, or even having road rage. I believe people need to slow down and realize that driving this way is doing no one any good. Will it get you where you are going faster? Maybe. But, the risk of hurting or killing someone with your vehicle has much bigger consequences. Individuals need to embrace the life they have, realize that life is short and to live it to the fullest. This past summer, a senior from another local high school lost his life in a car accident. It was believed that he was speeding and lost control of his vehicle. My wrestling team and myself attended his funeral as a sign of respect to a fellow talented wrestler. That day is something I never want to experience again. It was an eye-opening experience for the entire team and definitely made us more aware of the importance of driving safely. In short, it is important to stay focused, keep familiarizing yourself with the rules of the road, dive smart and responsibly because it will not only save your life but potential the life of another. Preach this to your family and friends so they too can do the same. I have found that when you call out an adult about their unsafe driving, they change their behavior quickly. As a teen, calling out your friends may not have the same effect. But, if you do it often enough, it may just stick.