How to be a Safe Driver

Driving is a privilege that many people enjoy. Driving can be stressful, but it can also be enjoyable. For driving to be enjoyable, you need to know how to be safe and make good decisions.

Driver’s Education is important in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving because it better qualifies the driver behind the wheel. With access to Driver’s Education, more people will be able to educate themselves on how to operate a vehicle and how to react to or prevent situations on the road. Access to Driver’s Education equals safer and more educated drivers on the road.

I have personally been in one car accident. I was in elementary school and my mom was driving my brother and me home. It was raining, so it was difficult to see and the road was wet. We got hit from behind at an intersection while trying to merge into traffic. The other driver was trying to merge as well, but he was following closely behind and in looking back over his shoulder, did not realize how close he was. He tried to stop, but the road was slick and he skidded into the rear of our vehicle. Thankfully no one was hurt and the damages on the car were minimal. The driver had been paying attention and we still got in an accident. I cannot imagine how much worse it would have been if he had been distracted by his phone or something else.

Fortunately, there are steps that individuals can take to prevent driving-related deaths. One way to prevent driving-related deaths is to enroll in and complete a Driver’s Education Course. My personal experience with a Driver’s Education course was beneficial to me because it gave me the opportunity to learn from a certified instructor. It gave me active driving experience and skills for driving on the road. Another way individuals can prevent driving-related deaths is to stay alert while driving. This includes staying off of your phone, getting enough sleep, and not driving while impaired or under the influence. All of these things can be deadly behind the wheel of a car.

As a driver, there are certain precautions that you can take to make sure you get to your destination safely. First, make sure there are few distractions in your car and that includes your phone. I use Bluetooth capabilities so that my texts and other notifications can be read without having to pick up my phone. Sometimes, I silence my phone and check it when I arrive at my destination.

Driving gives you many freedoms, and one of those is going places with your friends. This can be a challenge for drivers in that if you have several people in your car, it can get noisy and you are paying attention to the conversation more than the road. When I am making plans with friends, I do not take more than two people at a time in my car to limit distractions while driving.

When driving most people listen to music. While listening to music is relatively harmless it can actually be distracting if it is turned up too loud. If the music is too loud, you cannot hear emergency vehicles that may be trying to help others. I turn my music down in order to be more alert to situations on the road.

Driving is a serious matter and some people, especially when influenced by friends, treat their car as a toy. For example, some of the people I go to school with race their cars or drive irresponsibly for fun. Treating a car like a toy is dangerous and should not be done. I make sure not to play around behind the wheel of a car because the consequences of driving like that are irreversible.

Lastly, do not drive while tired. It may not seem like a big deal, but lack of sleep can cause your reaction time to be slower and you to not be observant of your surroundings on the road. I currently drive approximately forty minutes to school. On days that I have not gotten enough sleep, I have noticed that I am less attentive and driving is more difficult for me. A friend of mine fell asleep behind the wheel and totaled his car. Luckily his injuries were not extensive and he did not wreck into anyone else, but it could have easily been much worse. If you find that lack of sleep is affecting your driving skills, pull over in a safe spot like a parking lot. Take a nap or call someone to come get you. It is much better to be late and safe than dead.

As I have written this essay, it has caused me to reflect on my driving and the driving of others. It is so easy to get distracted, but drivers need to be prepared to make split-second decisions at all times. I realize that I need to keep my focus on the road, treat driving seriously, and remove as many distractions as I can. If all drivers would do these simple things, everyone would be much safer.