Scared Straight

Elizabeth Tinnesz

Scared
Straight

I took driver
education during the summer between my junior and senior of high
school. I will be honest and say that I truly learned so much from
this program that I did not learn from my parents trying to teach me
how to drive. In fact, I had stopped driving for 3 months before I
took drivers ed because my parents made me too nervous.

Drivers ed
reduces the number of deaths as a result of driving in many ways.
First, driving with an instructor in the car gives you immediate
feedback on your driving skills. This will lessen the number of
possible accidents in the future because you learn when you make
mistakes and how not to make them in the future. Second, the driver
education program also offers an instructional period where you watch
some graphic videos about what can happen if you are an irresponsible
driver. There is a teacher during the instructional period as well,
where we learn about safe driving techniques. Learning about safe
driving practices in the classroom will also reduce the number of
deaths related to driving.

Unfortunately, I
have had experiences of seeing people I care about drive
irresponsibly. Sometimes, my parents will text and drive, even though
I tell them not to. Also, my friends will drive with the music way
too loud or they drive too fast because they want to be cool. I am
very aware that these behaviors are extremely irresponsible. I think
people can be arrogant and they believe they are being safe, despite
engaging in these dangerous behaviors. Drivers ed “scared me
straight.” Before I took drivers ed, I think I took being a
safe driver for granted. However, now I know that driving is a
privilege that needs to be taken very seriously. I obey the speed
limit, don’t text while driving, listen to music at a normal level,
and pay attention to changing road conditions. I do believe everyone
should take drivers ed because it will ultimately reduce the
number of deaths related to driving.