Don’t Drive Anyone Into An Early Grave: Drive Safely

Days upon days of news uncover horrific driving accidents occurring for many reasons. Whether it be from someone driving under the influence, somebody who turned left in front of another driver, a t-bone accident, and the list goes on. Could every single one of these accidents be stopped? No. But could there be a significant reduction of the occurrences? Yes, a significant one at that.

Rules of the road, the state motorist handbook, face to face discussions on driving rules and laws, are all many educational opportunities to help reduce the 34,000 people who drove themselves into early graves, or were driven to them from the lack of education instilled in the drivers around them. Driver’s education is crucial to lowering that number. The amount of deaths that happen can be stopped with more education on driving and being a responsible driver. The drivers education course is very good information-wise, and so are the required behind the wheel sessions. Driver’s education really helps pinpoint all of the laws and information needed to be able to safely drive a car. Even information that is taught that people think is “self-explanatory” are still good to review.

Drivers’ education pointing out the laws and safety precautions significantly helps reduce driving related casualties. However, I feel like more education on driving, especially later in life, would help prevent many deaths. After one has been driving for a while, people fall into bad habits, and think that those are “okay” or “normal”. Especially things like answering a phone call while driving, or checking a notification while driving. Looking away for even one second can cause an accident, a crash, a horrific event. And it’s all that person’s fault for not focusing on the task at hand: driving. Education or even requiring more behind the wheel courses even just every 5 years after getting a license would help point out those things and stop them from happening to stop accidents in the future.

I personally have had the luck of never being in a car accident, but I have seen many of them. I have also witnessed irresponsible driving. I’ve found myself in the passenger seat or backseat watching the number on the speedometer rise far above posted speed limits. I’ve found myself in the passenger seat or backseat watching the light turn yellow and the car I’m sitting in go through it as it’s changing to red. I’ve found myself in the passenger seat or backseat watching the driver of the car check their phone or make a phone call. I’ve been in many unsafe situations in a car. But, ever since I received my temps, I’ve paid extra attention to the drivers around me to try and find out how to really drive a car to the best and safest of my abilities. However, I have noticed that not everybody I drive with is a safe or careful role model to look up to. Irresponsible driving, as bad as it is, is very easy to see because so many drivers don’t take safety precautions while they’re driving a car; a heavy machine that has the ability to kill if used or driven unsafely and incorrectly. Taking risks in the driver’s seat is deadly and I wish more people paid attention to their safety and the safety of others whilst driving. It is too common to drive irresponsibly. Personally I take note of these bad habits I see and make it a point to avoid them.

As a driver myself, I strive to drive safely and responsibly because I know the consequences of unsafe driving. I don’t want to be responsible for one of those consequences. I make sure that when I am driving I am alert, aware, and am paying attention to my surroundings. I know that if I wouldn’t do those things, I would be a worse driver. When I drive, I pay attention to not only the cars behind, in front, and to the sides of me, but I also pay attention ahead of me, and to pedestrians on the sidewalks and in the bike lanes. Attention is key while driving. Next time you drive, make it a point to not look at the notification that popped up on your phone. Make it a point to actually check your blind spot. Make it a point to view the lights and how quickly they change colors. Make it a point to watch your speed. It’s a speed LIMIT, not a speed suggestion. Safety is my top priority while I’m driving to ensure the safety of not only myself, but the people in my car and in the cars around me. You’re only as safe as the other drivers around you no matter how safe you personally drive. Be careful, cautious, and alert. Drive safely.