Enjoy the Freedom of Driving Safely

As a resident
of Virginia, I know that the first line of the Driver’s Manual begins
with, “The Virginia Driver’s Manual will help you to learn and
understand safe driving practices.” Young driver’s achieve their
ability to drive very early. I remember how excited I was to drive a
car by myself and go anywhere I wanted. I can also never forget how
nervous I was before I went to take my behind the wheel exam. I
didn’t overspeed, violate any traffic laws or take any unlawful
actions during my exam just to pass it. But after I passed the exam,
I didn’t feel the same. I felt free to do anything and I know most
new drivers feel the same. However, we should remember that freedom
of driving can not be enjoyed by violating driving laws.

Driving laws
are made to ensure everyone is safe on the road while we enjoy
driving. Driving education builds our knowledge and ultimately the
confidence to drive lawfully. It also helps us to understand the risk
involved in careless driving and tell us the importance of being
mindful of our actions. Therefore, using the driving education
knowledge will make a great impact in reducing deaths as a result of
driving.

Everyone
doesn’t take driving laws seriously though. Just like my cousin, who
was mentally ill for five years and didn’t get his licence until he
turned twenty one. He was happy when he got his licence and my family
trusted him to be responsible for his actions. I was fourteen years
old and missed the school bus one day. He was going to work and
offered me a ride to school. I was already late, so I rushed to get
in the car. Everything was normal until he got a call from his
manager. During the call, he began cursing and yelling. The phone was
on speaker and I heard that he could no longer work there. When the
call ended, he suddenly increased the car speed, began taking random
turns and ignored all the stop signs. I started crying and told him
to drive slow but he didn’t listen. Finally, he was pulled by a
police officer. Police called my parents and safely got me back home.
They suspended his licence and arrested him.

I learned to
never give or get a ride from anyone I don’t trust, even though it is
a family member. His careless actions could’ve gotten us into a big
car accident and could have taken many other innocent lives on the
road. Safe driving is not a choice but a law that he didn’t obey.
Always remember that there is love and care for you. Your careless
actions can hurt yours and many other families for the rest of their
lives. Therefore, I leave home early to reach my destinations, silent
my phone while driving, avoid eating or drinking in the car and focus
on driving since that’s the priority.