New Driver Street Smarts

Roads get slippery, winds pick up, windshield wipers are going as fast as they can, and slowly the traction on your brakes is getting worse. In this risky situation, should you have paid attention during your driver’s ed lesson or spent the class day dreaming about your first independent road trip? The answer is obviously the first, but with many new learners today, the rush of excitement from independent driving proves to be a dangerous distraction. With that rush, the chance of a driving accident happening only increases. This is why it is important to recognize the responsibility that comes with being a new driver. You, the passengers in the vehicle, and others on the road are depending on you to make the right choices for everyone. Driving does not just affect you, but everyone else on the road.

While having my learner’s permit, and then my license, I witnessed bad driving by other drivers on the road, and by my friends. I thought, why? What’s the point? While almost every licensed driver has taken driver’s ed and has had the experience of practicing with another person, there is a natural tendency to initiate competition and rage on the road. Other drivers and their poor driving choices can cause us to react in anger. An important part of driving is not only learning the basics (turning signals, road signs, and intersections) but also being aware of others on the road, their actions, and knowing how to react safely. Giving in to road rage and acting out does not benefit anyone, and only increases the risk of an accident.

Before going out on the road alone, state law requires new drivers to take an education course in or out of school. Depending on the state, different amounts of coursework and on-the-road training are required. Why is driver’s ed important? Think about what kind of driver you would be without it. Probably quite different. Drivers ed, first of all, teaches the basics: functions of the car, road rules, and drivers’ awareness. A trainee driver’s experience on the road puts these basics into action, making a proactive driver. A big issue amongst drivers today, especially teenagers, is using a phone while driving. Manual, cognitive, and visual distractions lead to many car-related deaths every year. Being a responsible driver means getting rid of all distractions. Even if the thought of texting a friend back sounds important, the risk of crashing is reduced just by silencing phones and putting them out of reach. This action is 100 times more important than sending that text. Drivers ed courses also teach how to deal with crashes, car insurance, and maintenance. Most importantly, wear a seatbelt!

However, driver’s ed isn’t the only step to becoming a safer driver. Once the course is done, you could still have many hours of practice to complete before taking a license test. Driving with a licensed family member is important. Getting the chance to drive in harsh conditions, over a longer period of time, builds up familiarity with adverse weather like fog, hail, wind, and thunderstorms. It’s better to have learned how to drive safely with a skilled driver first rather than tackling bad weather alone. It is also likely that the family member you are practicing with has had years of experience. While in the passenger seat, pay attention to their positive driving habits and try to implement them yourself when you drive. Before getting a license, check your state laws and make sure the vehicle you are driving is insured in case of an accident. Car maintenance and cost of gas are also big responsibilities to take on when becoming a driver.

New drivers who may have not been exposed to the consequences of poor driving may think, “What’s the chance of that happening to me? I’ve practiced enough, why should I be so cautious?” In reality, an accident can happen at any time, at any place and with one wrong move or one bad driver. What kind of driver do you want to be to avoid an accident? Someone who can’t react accordingly and ends up with a totaled car, or someone who can navigate through a challenging sitation and avoid the accident altogether? Obviously the second. This is the result of taking and paying attention to drivers ed, becoming a driver who can avoid getting distracted, and being a proactive and safe person on the road. Owning and operating a vehicle gives us great freedom but also great responsibility not only for ourselves, but for others.