The Dangerous Opportunity

How many times have you heard that ‘driving is an opportunity and it should not be abused’? Most teenagers when they hear this from their parents or other adults, roll their eyes and believe it is always an exaggeration, but sadly it is not. As thrilling and exciting it is to get your first car and be able to drive almost anywhere, it is a responsibility that you must understand that you are putting yourself at possibly of an injury or even death. One must be properly informed and tested on the rules of the roads in order to reduce the probability of a car accident. Many people are careless when in comes to learning how to drive, but the more informed they are in the rules of the road, they are safer and have less of a chance to cause accidents. To put someone who has little to no driver education, has a high risk of causing an accident and hurting themselves and others. An accident takes more than one person or vehicle to occur and driving recklessly makes you the cause of an innocent person having to suffer for your reckless actions. You cannot expect everyone to give their full undivided attention to the course, but in person classes keeps the persons attention span more than having to read slides and slides by themselves at home. In classroom driver education reduces the risk of distractions because they are being overseen by another person and are expected to pay attention to what is being taught. Learning by yourself in the comfort of your home has the benefits of being able to do it at your own pace and with your own time, but it looses focus for that same reason. Being home gives you the opportunity to do so many other things such as watching tv, video games, eating, etc. to the point where the focus is lost and you become discouraged to do it and constantly put it off. Learning in person and in a classroom, has less distractions, more interaction with others, and it is being taught to you versus teaching yourself.

Many people think of accidents lightly until they have been in one. Everyone always pities those who have been in one, but the feeling is different when you have experienced it yourself. My family and I were crushed against a wall by an 18- wheeler and it was a feeling of fear that is indescribable. It happens so fast and so much fear fills your lungs, you usually do not know what to do and sit there in fear until your body can catch up and your brain can comprehend what is happening. Thankfully there were no major injuries, but it always leaves an underlying fear. At the time I did not have my license but now that I do, I avoid big delivery trucks as much as possible and anytime I do have to drive next to one, I hold my breath and hope for the best. We may not have been at fault, but once you have been in a car accident, your senses and emotions become slightly sharper.

Following the rules of the road are easy but also tempting. For example, I live in Texas where majority of people believe the speed limit is more of a suggestion and sometimes it is even dangerous to go the speed limit because of how much faster everyone else is going. It is tempting to speed and get to your location sooner, but it is dangerous because there are chances of losing control or sudden stops. My mother always told me to focus on the rivers in front of me and to not worry about any drivers behind me who are trying to get me to drive faster by tailgating me. I am following the law and if an accident were to occur with the car behind me, chances are I am not at fault.

Driving truly is a wonderful opportunity people are given because they can discover the world and all the beauties it holds. It is a dangerous opportunity that must be taken seriously because so many innocent lives were lost because of people who did not care enough about those around them and saw themselves as invincible. So many wonderful souls were lost to car crashes and now it is only known to God and the universe what their futures held and what they were capable of. It is a sad thing to hear that there have been more American deaths in car crashes then there has in great wars such as the Vietnam war or in Iraq. To think that one of the biggest leading causes of death for young people is such an insignificant and careless way because one way or another, there was a distracted driver or lack of safety. It is a sad thing that with such a blessing, there are its consequences that many have suffered for. Proper education and proper execution is the only way to create safer drivers on the road. There also has to be a level of trust put into each driver and unfortunately that is where the line is drawn for what we can to do prevent accidents. After the education is given, it is left to the driver to make decisions and we most hope for the best that they respect the rules of the road for the safety of themselves and those around them.