Name: Benjamin Torres Alderete
From: Balch Springs, TX
Votes: 0
Driving
may be one of the most calming and soothing activities a person can
partake in, however it may also be one of the most frightening
experiences in someone’s life. I am thankful of having the
opportunity to learn in my local driving school and although the cost
was $400, I have never regretted paying that amount. Why? Well,
drivers ed has made me the safe driver that I am today, I have
evaded many close calls due to other drivers not paying attention or
driving recklessly. In drivers ed, they teach you every single
signal on the road, what to do in case of emergencies, enforce the
law of no drinking and driving/ no texting and driving, how to spot
reckless drivers and so much more! If every single driver could have
the ability to take some lessons in driving school, it would make the
roads much safer. They key to reducing the number of deaths as a
result of driving is in driving DEFENSEVELY. Driving a 2-ton beast
60MPH should be taken very seriously and so, driving defensively is
the key in riding safely.
An
unfortunate event that I was involved in was when my cousin crashed
his brand new 2013 Mustang. He decided to take me on the first ride,
and I was hesitant because I knew he wasn’t the most responsible
person in the family. Nevertheless, I went, and I regret it to this
day.
It
was a chilly Friday night, around 9 PM, my cousin and I were taking a
couple of loops around the neighborhood, when suddenly, he had the
genius idea of speeding in an area of 20MPH! I looked at the time,
9:18 PM, then I glanced at him and as if out a movie he lost control
and we skidded 4 times before hitting somebody’s mailbox completely
ruining his trunk and left rear end. Luckily, we wear wearing our
seatbelts and it was the back that crashed. Thankfully everything was
sorted out and we both learned our lesson that day.
I
like to think that I have become a pretty safe driver, the second I
get into my car I was always put my seatbelt on. I spend around 1-2
minutes making sure my windows and my surroundings are clear. If I
had to give advice based on my 3-year experience, I would say always
looks 4 times in both directions when driving across an intersection,
you never know when someone might speed a red light hoping to reach
the other side in time. Take quick glances at your mirrors frequently
when driving on the road. NEVER drink/text and drive, there is a time
and place for everything but that should be absolutely prohibited
when driving. Also have fun! Enjoying the ride will make you more
alert to your surroundings, just keep the speed limit and drive
defensively and you’ll have an amazing ride.
