Put the Phone Down, and Drive

Put
the Phone Down, and Drive

Having the ability
to drive is a privilege, not a right. You are not born with a
driver’s license, you need to earn it. To earn your driver’s
license, you must complete a drivers ed course. Driver’s
education is more important now than ever, especially with cell
phones being so popular. Someone who is learning how to drive needs
to know that when you are in the driver’s seat, one wrong move
could cost their life, or someone else’s. The meaning behind
drivers ed is to educate new drivers of the skills and
knowledge needed to operate a vehicle to ensure safety. Learning the
rules of the road and operating a vehicle can reduce vehicle related
deaths due to being educated.

Driving is not just
jump in a car and be on your way, there are steps that should be
taken to protect you and others. Ensure your cell phone is either on
do not disturb, so you do not have the urge to grab it anytime you
get a notification. Put your phone in your bag/purse and put it in
the backseat. This reduces distractions as well. Turn the music down!
Music at a high volume is heavily distracting to not only you, but
the other drivers that look your direction to see where the music is
coming from. When playing loud music, you also cannot hear emergency
vehicle’s sirens, and not getting out of their way is illegal.
Adjust mirrors and your seat as needed. It is extremely important
that you can see clearly out of both side mirrors, rear view mirror,
and that your seat is high enough or low enough for you to see
properly.

I have seen a close
friend of mine drive irresponsibly multiple times. When I was at home
one time, I received a snapchat video from her while she was driving.
I told her to not be on her phone while driving but she continued.
Another time while I was in the car with her, she pulled out her
phone and began scrolling through social media. We had a few other
people in the car and everyone was telling her to stop, put her phone
down and drive responsibly. Thankfully she no longer drives like that
now and does drive responsibly, but if a friend or family member
drive’s irresponsibly they should be reminded what consequences
that could entail.

Steps that can be
taken to be safer on the road is put the phone down. Focus on
driving. It is not worth sending one text to risk your life and
others. If you are in the car with a friend or relative driving and
you see they are driving irresponsibly, let them know what they are
doing is wrong and how they can stop. Turn your music down and pay
attention to the road. Driving related deaths can be reduced if
drivers ed is promoted by everyone and learned by everyone.