Steer Your Life

“Oh
my gosh! I’m sixteen, and I can finally get my license!” “Let’s
race; I bet you can’t drive faster than me.” These are just a few
of the words you might hear from a person new to the world of
driving. Everyone gets ecstatic when achieving the privilege to
explore the world on their own, legally. You don’t need to anyone
with you to go anywhere, and you can travel the globe with your
peers. While this may sound exiting and breathtaking, there are still
responsibilities that need to be own up to. Driving is a serious
matter, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. Every year, 1.25 million
people die in road crashes; everyday, 3,287 lives are taken from car
crashes as well. These statistics goes to show that driving isn’t
as easy as getting in a car and pushing a pedal.

Several
lives are being taken away from their families, friends, and
coworkers because of imprudent driving. In fact, I was almost a part
of the number of people who are no longer with us. I was driving on a
two-lane road when a truck decided to pass someone from the opposite
direction of me. There was nowhere for me to turn or move out of the
road, and the truck was coming head on to me. The only action I could
take was hitting the brakes and hoping the vehicle would steer clear
of my direction. Luckily, I was given another chance to be alive
because the truck swerved to the other side of the road in time. My
heart dropped because I was so close to never seeing my relatives
again. That one mistake would’ve left several people in
despondency!

My
experience has opened my eyes on the importance of good driving. I
appreciate every drivers ed course there is because it’s
needed to stay alive. Not only does drivers ed teach you how to
become a superior driver, it teaches you how to respond if someone
else makes an error in your proximity. This class instructs others on
the importance of making simple movements such as: using the turn
signals, driving the speed limit, checking your blind spots, being
aware of your surroundings, and so much more. If this class is highly
taken advantage of, the number of deaths, per year, can significantly
be reduced. Some tips that can increase your chances of having a safe
drive are: paying attention to other drivers, staying focused, and
wearing a seatbelt.

I’m
only sixteen years old. This means that I’m a fairly new driver,
myself. Therefore, I drive below the speed limit, avoid alcoholic
beverages, and only drive in places where I’m comfortable. If I’m
not comfortable, I’ll ask an experienced adult to drive until I’m
prepared. To make sure my peers stay safe, I often share tips on
social media to help others become a safer driver on the road.
Driving is like baseball, it’s the one who gets home safely that
counts.