Blink of an Eye

In a blink of an eye an accident can happen. “It’ll never happen to me; accidents only happen with inexperienced drivers.” Is one of the things an old high school friend said before his life was tragically taken in an accident that took him and his young friends’ lives. In a blink of an eye that one beer you decided to drink before heading home after a party turn into 5 and getting behind the wheel doesn’t seem that serious. Not until your last ride is in an ambulance, after going full speed into a guard rail in a drunken haze. In a blink of an eye, a text message you sent to your mom while driving could end up being your last.

Driving is one of the biggest responsibilities a person takes, and the safety of the driver, and everyone else on the road is extremely important. Driving under the influence, driving distracted, and driving recklessly can not only take your life, but other drivers on the road as well. To reduce driving fatalities and accidents, Drivers Education classes are extremely important to help educate new drivers on the rules of the road, and how to be a safe driver. Defensive Driving is a class that teaches drivers to be aware, and expect hazards before they happen, to avoid accidents and to be attentive of the road and drivers around them. Avoiding distractions, and being sober while being behind the wheel is also important, and remembering that you want to keep yourself, and everyone else you encounter on the road to be safe as well. In a blink of an eye, anything can happen, so it is important to keep yourself and others safe while behind the wheel.

In Delaware, anyone under the age of 18 needs to complete a Driver’s Education course to obtain a license, so the moment I turned 16 I started taking Drivers Ed, and quickly learned that driving is something to take seriously, and it is not a time to be silly or reckless. I have been in the car with friends who eat, blast music, and text while driving. No one should have to fear for their life while riding in the car with someone and driving safely is not something to be taken lightly. Drivers Education is extremely helpful to new drivers (including myself) to learn safety rules of the road, and drivers’ etiquette as well. Taking Defensive Driving helped me learn how to be mindful of other drivers, and to always pay attention to my surroundings no matter what. When driving safe is made a priority, it will reduce the number of roadside fatalities and injuries.

As a former volunteer firefighter, car accidents and roadside fatalities weren’t just something that happened rarely, or to just a few people. They happened every single day, multiple times a day. Constant calls came over the station, dispatching fire companies to accident after accident. Many were gruesome, and ended up being fatal, and many included young children. The seriousness of driving safely really hit me after my time in the fire station, and especially after hearing stories from EMT’s and paramedics who I would meet who struggled with the things they saw every day. Stories such as body parts having to be picked up alongside the road where the accident occurred because the impact to the car was so severe. I will also never forget being a 13 year old waiting for my dad to come home from work, and instead of him coming home getting a call from the police that he was being transported to the hospital after being involved in a car accident due to the other driver taking a turn without paying attention. Driving safe is one of the most important things a person can do and realizing how the severe consequences that occur when driving unsafe and recklessly can impact a person’s life in just a blink of an eye.

Steps that I take to be a safe driver, and that others can do as well is to avoid distractions at all costs. Don’t blare music too loudly, because that can distract the driver, and if music is too loud you will not be able to hear if someone is honking, or if something might sound wrong with the car that can affect its safety. Another step is to AVOID your phone at all costs!! No texting while driving, and avoid picking up your phone, and if its emergency, try to pull over when safe to do so. Another step I take is to not eat while driving, since it can become messy and distraction, and taking your eyes off the road for just a second can end up being fatal.

In conclusion, Drivers Education is a huge tool that helps people learn the rules of the road, and how to stay safe while driving. Understand the risks and consequences that come with distracted and being under the influence driving can become fatal in just a blink of an eye. Once you get behind the wheel of a vehicle, it is YOUR responsibility to make sure you and others stay safe, and that you respect the rules of the road that are in place to keep everyone safe.