It is not a right, but a Privilege

When I was fifteen years old, that was when I started taking driving classes to earn my permit and later to receive my license. Every Sunday my dad would take me to go driving before church service to log in my hours for the driving school. He would say the same things to me every time, “Always be aware of your surroundings.”, “Don’t text and drive.”, “Driving is not a right, but a privilege that can be taken away at any moment from careless mistakes or by someone else.” At the time I did not understand what he was talking about, but now with two years driving experience I can understand what my dad was trying to say. Driving is such a great privilege to have. It is a step closer into adulthood that brings more responsibilities. And though we might be the safe driver doing everything correctly, there is always someone else not doing the same that could potentially put a danger on your own life.

Driver education is very important for, of course, our new drivers to know the rules and also because it brings awareness to the effects of not being careful and paying attention to the road. My sister is currently taking drivers ed and the lessons constantly reiterate the effects of not being careful, with the worst outcome being death. The importance of having the proper driver education is to show that, yes, driving can be fun but there are serious outcomes if not being careful. And it all goes back to learning these things when also learning how to drive. So that also throughout the lesson the student is also aware that not only do you have to focus on how you are driving, but also how other people are driving. Because the reality with driving is that you do not know how other people’s day has been and whether maybe they are drunk or not, or maybe they got angry at something before getting in the car; whatever the case may be, driver education preps to help new drivers learn how to be aware and prepared for those situations.

Most driving related deaths are involved with carelessness and taking for granted that every day that we do not end up in car crashes. Especially as we get older, we start “bending” the rules of driving and slowly start easing away from the correct rules and laws of driving. One step that can be taken is that once a year there can be mandatory classes taken at the local DPS Office of safety videos and refreshing of road laws and rules. This would be at most two hours long and would involve watching videos and taking quizzes. Would be mandatory to do and should be time efficient for most adults in their busy schedules in life.

I love to drive around with my friends, but I do have that one friend that sometimes does not pay attention to the road because she has the music too loud and dances more than pay attention on the road. There have been multiple moments that we possibly would have been in a car crash, but thank God it was not in his plan yet. I do not get in the car when she drives now, but it has taught me now that no matter who is in the car whether it be family or friends that I need to be careful and have my eyes on the road. To not let music, friends laughing, or too much excitement get the best of paying attention on the road to make sure of everyone’s safety.

Some things that I can do to be a safer driver is make sure others who are driving are driving safely. Make sure they are as free from distraction as possible and that if they need a message to be sent out or the music to be changed then someone else in the vehicle will do it. Another thing that I can do is remind my family of safety rules and laws and to make sure to always follow them. What else I can also do is set an example for others when I am driving. Now that my sister is starting to become a driver, every time we go somewhere I also try to lead by the best example. To always be at the speed limit, be aware of surroundings, and to not be on my phone. I also try to do the same with my friends. Though they also have driving licenses I always try to be the best I can be when driving. Also to again remind my friends of the proper rules of driving and to always be alert.

Most accidents are caused by carelessness of others that can take away the life of others. I believe that to bring more awareness and remind others the importance of rules and laws of driving and to not start “bending” these rules. Even if it’s speeding up at a yellow light instead of slowing down, going over the speed limit, or looking at your phone for just a second. These only take a moment to do and it can just take that one moment for everything to change. Driving is a privilege not a right; a privilege that can be taken away at any moment.