Life in Your Hands

Every day, millions of people use vehicles to drive, commute, work, and more. But each day across the world, thousands get into accidents that may cost them their lives. Teen drivers from ages 16 to 19 have a fatal crash rate almost three times as high as drivers 20 and older per mile driven. Teens learning quality driver education early on can reduce accidents and fatal crashes while starting healthy driving habits and choices early on. Driver education teaches people to be safe and interact on the road, with the ultimate goal of protecting your life and others. These are reasons why driver education is a necessary and invaluable skill for everyone; it prevents casualties and accidents. Driver’s licenses are privileges given to those who can safely drive and communicate with others on the road. They have succeeded in showing their knowledge of driver’s education.

Driver education is about learning how to safely operate a vehicle and drive defensively. Knowing the rules of the road is essential, but knowledge is useless unless it is put into practice. To be a better driver, prioritize safety, take care of yourself before driving, remember the rules of the road, and be observant and prepared to drive. Always put safety first instead of taking risks, which can cause accidents. Before you start your drive, have your mirrors and seat adjusted, passengers buckled up, and any additional things prepared for you to drive. If you are not mentally or physically ready to drive, do not start driving! Take a break or rest if you’re tired. Be a responsible driver or passenger, and if you or another driver has taken medication or a substance that may impair their driving abilities, such as medicines that cause fatigue, like allergy medicines, also drugs, or alcoholic substances, wait until the effects have worn off. Knowing the rules of the road is key to communicating and working alongside other drivers. Also, always be alert and aware of your surroundings. Watch out for civilians and other distracted or impaired drivers to make decisions that keep you and your passengers safe. This is done by driving defensively to safely maneuver around their mistakes. Remember to think things through to avoid making rash decisions. Keep in mind that a driver’s license is a privilege, and it puts your own and others’ lives in your hands while driving.

Before I got my driver’s license and after I got my permit, I practiced driving with my dad. I remember one day I was driving downhill on a slope in an area I hadn’t driven in before. The speed limit was 40 miles per hour. The slope was divided into 4 lanes with a long dividing median barrier in the center, separating the different directions. I was driving downhill in the left lane with my dad, driving at or slightly below the speed limit. I tend to drive a little slower and more cautiously than other people.

As we headed down the hill, a black truck sped past me in the right lane. It suddenly turned into our lane and cut us off, narrowly missing our car. It cut us off so early that I couldn’t even see its back blinkers if it was signaling into our lane. I wasn’t used to the horn yet, so I didn’t honk at them. Instead, as my dad yelled at me to brake, I pressed my right foot into the brake pedal hard. I tried not to slow down suddenly in case the car behind me rear-ended us. Luckily, no one was hurt and miraculously there wasn’t a scratch on our car or an accident. Me and my dad also talked about how recklessly that car drove. This terrifying experience reminded me to pay close attention to the road. It serves as an example of what can happen when someone does not communicate or keep their emotions in check while on the road. Losing patience with other drivers can be fatal.

A step I can take to be a better and safer driver and help others is to stay focused on the road and minimize distractions. Distractions can prevent you from driving safely. Avoid using your phone or anything else that diverts your attention. Another tip to be a better driver is to learn how to interact with others on the road. When driving, consider the situation around you before making a decision. Be sympathetic, have patience, and do not rush yourself or others to hurry up. It’s difficult to predict what others might be going through. But before you make any decisions, think carefully and prioritize your safety and others’ safety.

In the end, driver education is immensely beneficial and important for safety. The goal of driver education is to teach safe driving habits and skills on the road, as well as to prevent accidents.