In The Driver’s Seat

I am 17 years old and will be 18 soon, and get my driver’s license. It will be a big step because I will go to places myself, drive myself, and have more freedom. I am still learning to drive since I recently got my driver’s permit, and I understand that being a safe driver is vital. When I drive, I have to be aware of my surroundings by checking my mirrors, checking over my shoulder, and not getting distracted by objects. Being a beginner driver is difficult because you do not have the skills of experienced drivers. Because of young drivers like myself, the road can be dangerous because of car accidents. That is why driver’s permits exist, so young drivers can gain more experience and be safe on the road. Taking the tests and practicing their driving techniques can help students become better at driving and reduce the number of car accidents. Some drivers take driving school, which is beneficial to those who are learning how to drive.

Younger drivers, especially, are more prone to car accidents because of their recklessness. To prevent this, we can provide classes on driving safety; for people who cannot afford or come to classes, we will offer online courses. We could also install a speed monitor for teenagers. When the driver is going above the speed limit, the speed monitor will give the driver a warning which indicates the driver to slow down. We need to help young drivers be more aware of the road; we could be more strict about not using our phones while driving. As a parent, it is the law to be in the car with your child until they earn their license; yet some parents do not know how to drive, which makes some parents clueless about the law. It would be great if we offered free driving classes for those who do not have the opportunity.

“Ride or Die” usually means taking a risk or not, but on the road, the meaning is literal. I am only 17; I just got my driver’s permit and do not have experience. I was hoping to learn how to drive during the school year, but I broke my foot and do not have the opportunity to drive yet. Truthfully, I am scared of driving; I never thought I would make it this far and start my independence through driving. I know many teenagers are excited to get their permit or license and are happy to drive and get a car, but I am the complete opposite. I am scared of driving because I am scared of getting into car accidents. Since I do not have much experience driving, my parents reassure me that it will be fine as long as I am cautious of my surroundings. When I started to drive, my parents gave me the instructions; check your mirrors, check your blindspots, look at the lines, look out for signs, and look out for the car in front of you. It was nerve-wracking to constantly be aware of my surroundings, but it was practice. I would go into an empty parking lot and practice my speed, turns, and braking, yet practicing did not feel like enough. My parents trusted me to go into the residential area where there were many parked cars, stops, turns, and a slow speed limit. Transitioning from an empty parking lot to an actual street was stressful if I did not know what to do. I felt compelled to stop driving forever, but remembered that I could drive. I need to remember the rules and be safe.

Most teenagers like to start speeding and drifting their cars; I like to stay under 20 mph because I am cautious about my speed. When you speed, it is hard to stop your vehicle, which makes speeding dangerous. I have an older sister who is late to many events which speeds her up. When I am in the car with my sister, I must remind her that speeding is not safe, and she must take her time. If drivers could slow down and pay attention to the road, it would be safer for them to drive. It would be nice if there were an invention for young drivers to tell them if they are going over the speed limit and telling them to slow down. I think it would help many young drivers who enjoy speeding. By reducing your speed, you can be more aware of your surroundings and be careful of other drivers. Since my sister likes to go faster, I get scared, the only person in my family I trust speeding is my dad. My dad has the most experience and is very safe when he drives fast. I remember he had a white Lexus, and when he drove in the car, he would step on the pedal, and you could feel the car going faster. I was a bit scared, but I trusted my dad because he knew what he was doing. If an inexperienced driver like me, or my sister were to speed, it would have been a ride-or-die situation. By installing more mechanisms, we could prevent the younger generation from speeding. We could also offer driving school lessons again rather than going to a different school. It would also be nice if driving classes were free for families with low income or no income. By driving, we are entrusted with our own lives and the lives of others. We should bring awareness about car safety since they are vital on the road.

One time, my sister told me about her co-worker. Her co-worker was about the same age as my older sister (maybe 18 or 19 years old), and he got into a deadly car accident. The news saddened me because a young person has lost their own life. If the co-worker was cautious about their surroundings, they could have lived. Sometimes, the fault is not us or the other person’s fault, and life happens. We need to help drivers understand the hazards on the road, ensure they are safe, and know if it is safe to drive. There could be times when it is not within the drivers control; it could be the car having trouble. My dad always says to check your tires, lights, and sides because someone could have done bad things to your car, or a nail could be in the tires. By checking your vehicle, you can know if your car is safe to drive. If you do not know how to check your vehicle, look online.

As a young driver, I still have lots to learn and more experience to gain. To stay safe on the road, I have to understand the safety regulations, check my car, look at the signs, check my mirrors, check my blindspots, and be responsible. As a driver, you are responsible for your vehicle and the people in it and around it. Cars were built to transport people from one place to another in a short amount of time. Do not go Fast and Furious because reality is not a movie. Being safe and aware of your safety can save many lives.