Paying Attention Doesn’t Cost A Life

Paying
Attention Doesn’t Cost A Life

“Is
this really necessary?” I asked my mom on the drive to my Five Hour
Course. It was a humid summer night in August. My dinner was packed
in a crinkly, brown bag and I had my permit in hand. At the time, all
of my friends had their drivers licenses. As much as I wanted my
license, the thought of sitting in a hot classroom and learning about
traffic rules seemed dreadful. I thought I knew how to drive,
however, once I got to the Five Hour Course, I realized how much I
didn’t really know. My drivers ed teacher outlined all of the
traffic rules, including the rules regarding notoriously confusing
intersections and “Right of Way”. I learned so much and much of
the information imparted to me would benefit members of my family who
had forgotten some of the rules. For example, I informed my grandma
of what I had learned about defensive driving technique. She listened
intently and explained that she was not aware of many of the skills I
told her to consider. The benefit of the five hour course extended to
others on the road. Just as new drivers need to be informed of the
rules, older drivers do as well. Even if older drivers do not take
drivers ed, being in contact with someone who promotes safer
and more conscious driving. After this experience, I became a big
supporter for more drivers ed. Drivers can forget many of the
rules, after a period of time. One thing that can be done to reduce
the number of driving related deaths is to require adults to retake
drivers ed classes, perhaps when they renew their licenses.
This could easily be done from their homes online to refresh their
driving knowledge. While I have never been in a car accident, my dad
got into an accident on a highway three years ago. Because of a truck
driver’s reckless decision to switch lanes and cut my father off,
my dad’s car was totaled. I can only imagine how much fear he
experienced. It haunts me to this day. But my dad survived and
attributes it to being aware of his surroundings and being a
conscious and defensive driver. My dad suffers from nerve and back
pain as a result of the accident. This is a constant reminder of the
importance of driving defensively and paying attention. I do hope
there will be more done in the future to ensure that adults consider
a refresher in drivers ed so that the recklessness can
subside. While other drivers commit to refresher courses aimed to
improve their driving, I can be a safer driver by taking the
initiative to constantly refresh myself. Although I just got my
license in September, I believe that there is always something that I
can improve upon. I will commit to that and also will be a conscious
and attentive driver who actively seeks out ways to improve my
skills.