Knowledge is Power

Knowledge is Power

Learning
to drive is a major step in someone’s life. I still remember taking
my permit test, driving around with my parents for what felt like
forever and, finally, getting my license. I remember how excited I
was when getting my first car, which is still the one I own today. It
was my mom’s old car, and I had a name picked out for it before I
even had my license. That feeling of driving alone for the first time
was one of a kind. I felt so free and grownup; little did I realize
how many responsibilities this new freedom brought. 

For young
drivers, this new freedom is not just for fun; it needs to be safe.
Educated drivers will make safer roads. Some of these skills are
learned while driving, but most are from reading or being taught
prior to hands-on experience. All drivers should take a class about
safe driving before they are allowed to drive. Most high schools
offer drivers’ education as an elective class. My opinion is that
this should become a required class for all sophomores. I did not
have the opportunity to take this class because it didn’t fit into
my schedule. However, I wish that I had been able to do so, because
my friends who took it learned geographic information that I did not.
Along with this, students should have access to information about car
accidents and death rates. In the US alone, about six million people
die from car accidents per year; that equates to about ninety deaths
per day. These numbers can easily be reduced by educating young
drivers on safety precautions. Obviously, nothing is going to
eliminate death tolls, but they could be greatly minimized. 

Car
accidents can be extremely scary, even if they don’t result in any
injuries. I was the cause of a minor car accident about six months
after I had my license. I hit a curb when I was driving home. My
driver’s side curtain airbags went off along with the driver’s
side seat airbags. I had one of my younger sisters in the car with
me, and I was more worried about her than anything else. I realized
in that moment how serious accidents could be; luckily, neither of us
were severely injured. My sister was totally fine, and I only had a
cut on my arm from the curtain airbags. In addition, my uncle passed
away when he was eighteen due to a fatal crash, because the driver
was intoxicated and hit a wall. However, if my uncle had worn his
seatbelt, he might still be alive today. This accident had a large
impact on my mom, and, to this day, she is still affected by it. I
learned the importance of safe driving and wearing seatbelts at a
very young age because of her experience with her brother’s
accident. 

So, when
someone you know is experiencing the thrill of getting their license
for the first time, make sure they understand the importance of safe
driving: Any small distraction could result in lifelong disability or
death. I know I didn’t always think about the damage a car could
actually do. My dad once told me that driving a car is like driving a
big metal box which could quickly become a lethal weapon. I now
understand what he meant, because even if your car is fairly safe and
sturdy, the other person’s may not be. Furthermore, I have learned
that even big cars aren’t always safe; with impact, the car jerks
back and can cause health problems even when you are buckled. What
new drivers don’t understand is that even though driving is an
amazing, freeing experience, it comes with a price and drivers need
to always take proper precautions.