Name: Emily Romanowski
From: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Votes: 0
The Risk of the Road
Emily
Romanowski
High
School Senior
30
March 2020
The
Risk of the Road
The
click of the seatbelt, the keys clinking together, and the wind
blowing on your face as you drive down the road with all windows
down. Driving is more than a way to get from point A to point B.
Driving is a freedom to be individual and travel wherever and
whenever you please; however, this freedom is not rewarded without
responsibility. According to the Association for Safe International
Road Travel, an average of 1.25 million people die each year from car
crashes. The liberty of travel comes at too high of a cost, which is
why each and every person must take the proper procedures to ensure
safe travel. To help reduce the number of deaths due to vehicular
disasters, all responsible drivers must take a certified Driver’s
Education course. Many high schools in America allow participation in
a safety course to prepare for their driver’s license.
Additionally, most adults that are prepared and ready for defensive
driving should continually study and practice the rules of the road.
The general population of drivers should be well informed and
prepared for any circumstances that may arise on the road if given
proper education.
Many
years ago there was a man who had been drinking at the bar. He
decided he was able to drive home while under the influence. On his
way, he passed out behind the wheel while going northbound and veered
towards the other side of the road. He ran into a ditch and ruined
the life of a young woman. She was walking toward her home when the
man hit her with his car and drug her through a ditch, killing her
instantly. It was not until the next morning when he saw her blood
and hair stuck to the front bumper of his car when he realized what
he had done. This woman was my second cousin whose life was ripped
away from her in an instant due to an irresponsible driver. No person
should choose to get behind the wheel if the conditions are at all
dangerous.
Many
people, including those close to me, get defensive if reminded to
drive safely. The message being given is that we are not worried
about one person’s driving abilities, we are worried about the
responsibility of the other drivers on the roads. Many people drive
despite dangerous conditions that may affect themselves or loved
ones: Texting, fatigue, distraction, under the influence, or chronic
illnesses. I know that I cannot logically prevent all people from
driving in unsafe conditions. To help promote safety, I regularly
revisit the rules of the road to ensure that I myself am driving in
the best interest of those around me. Additionally, I openly discuss
the importance of safe driving with those in my life. This may
include my community, my friends, and my family. By doing so, I will
know that I did my part to promote defensive driving, proper driving
education, and help prevent accidents on the road.
Works
Cited
“Road
Safety Facts.” Association
for Safe International Road Travel,
ASIRT,
www.asirt.org/safe-travel/road-safety-facts/.
Essay
Word Count, excluding header and citations:
