Safe Driving Starts with You

According to a Wikipedia article cited in the opening paragraph of this scholarship essay prompt, “the total number of Americans who die within the span of two years as a result of driving is more than the total number of American deaths from the Vietnam War” (Wikipedia). Over 53,000 American’s lost their lives while fighting in the Vietnam War, which lasted 20 years. In just two years, at least 53,000 Americans died due to reckless driving and car accidents, all that more than likely could have been prevented with the proper driver’s education tools at their disposal.

Speaking from personal experience, I believe that the education I received from my driver’s education course has been extremely beneficial to me, as it has made me more aware and confident behind the wheel. After completing an eight-hour driver’s education course and presenting the required number of driving hours to my instructor, I went to the DMV and was given my full driver’s license at the age of fourteen. This proves that one does not have to complete a lengthy driver’s education class in order to receive the tools they need to become a smarter and safer driver. One has the opportunity to complete this course within a day at a very reasonable cost as well. As an aside, I personally feel that all high schools in the United States should make driver’s education a mandatory course. This would ultimately ensure that all high school aged students have the opportunity to take this course at their respective high schools, while not having to worry about the cost or time commitment that one has to devote to driver’s education courses outside of school.

Driver’s education allows individuals to experience real-world driving scenarios, while receiving personalized instruction at the same time. I can often recall my driver’s education teacher pointing out both the exceptional driving habits and poor driving habits of the other drivers on the road. For example, there was one driver that my instructor pointed out to me that was following the traffic safety laws to a T. I was encouraged by my driving teacher to follow suit and adapt similar driving habits. On the other hand, I remember encountering a very irresponsible driver that almost caused multiple accidents by not using their turn signal and speeding through various red lights. My teacher cautioned me to beware of drivers like that and not exhibit those reckless driving behaviors. Overall, my experience driving with an instructor, truly opened my eyes to the various types of drivers on the road and provided me with a better understanding of what it takes to be a responsible and defensive driver.

Moreover, using the knowledge that I received from my driver’s education course, I believe that the following three steps will greatly assist in reducing the number of annual deaths caused by car accidents: 1) enroll in a driver’s education course, 2) wear your seatbelt and encourage others in the vehicle with you to wear their seatbelts as well, 3) as my parents used to tell me all the time while playing little league baseball, “keep your eyes on the ball,” well in this case, “keep your eyes on the road at all times.” As previously discussed earlier, driver’s education courses are structured in a way that provides drivers with the tools to become better drivers. By having a deeper understanding of basic traffic laws, violations, and safety information, as well as having the opportunity to receive personalized driving instruction, one will more than likely become a safer and more confident driver. Secondly, seatbelts have the power to save lives and reduce the risk of experiencing traumatic driving injuries or deaths. Lastly, by taking your eyes off of the road for even five seconds by sending a text message or checking your Twitter feed could result in that individual’s life flashing before their eyes-no matter what, keep your eyes on the road at all times.

With that being said, I have detailed the following three steps that will likely assist individuals in becoming better and safer drivers, while inspiring others to become better drivers as well. These steps are as follows: 1) don’t text and drive, 2) practice makes perfection, 3) exhibit safe driving habits. As cliché as it may seem, by putting your electronic devices in a safe location can significantly limit the temptation of being on your device(s) while driving. Once I reach my intended destination, I allow myself to respond to text messages, phone calls or even check ESPN+ for gameday updates/score alerts. As I see it, every phone notification that I receive while driving can wait, there’s too much at stake otherwise.

Next, practice makes perfection, the more one works at something, the better they will be. When I was first learning how to drive, my father used to take me to empty parking lots nearby our house and set up cones for me to maneuver around. Although it may have seemed a little juvenile at times, it helped my driving tremendously. I was able to perfect my skills, while having the opportunity to “make mistakes” when I wasn’t driving on a busy freeway or side street. Lastly, utilize the skills and good driving habits learned in a driver’s education course. All the rules and traffic safety laws are still in effect even after the conclusion of your driving class. Don’t let those important safe driving lessons and habits go out the window after you’ve successfully passed your course.

In conclusion, my hope is to inspire other drivers by the positive example that I serve as while behind the wheel of a motorized vehicle. Speaking from personal experience of never having been involved in a car accident and successfully completing my driver’s education course, I believe that there are several steps individuals can take to improving their driving habits and limiting the number of car accidents and fatalities in the United States each year. Encourage others to take a driver’s education course, practice safe driving habits, and most importantly, look out for yourself and the well-being of those around you while driving. Over 90% of all car accidents can be prevented with the proper instruction and driving tools. Be a positive influence in this world, not a statistic.