Behind the Wheel

In the U.S. alone, on average, there are over 6 million passenger car accidents every year. With road crashes being the leading cause of death in the country. 5% of fatal car accidents are due to distracted drivers. That’s why in order to combat these morbid statistics, driver education is crucial, not only for those behind the wheel, but the ones who put their lives into your hands—the passengers; the ones in your car and the ones in the others.

Just by learning the meaning of the different traffic signs and stop light colors, you’ll learn the basics behind driving, but you can further your knowledge by learning the hand signals, road markings, and designated areas. These small things will not only help you be a better driver but steadfast and ready for any situation. Knowing when to stop at a traffic sign will help you keep the proper flow of traffic and avoid collisions; identifying hand signals from cyclists or motorcyclists will help you make the proper calls when you’re behind the wheel; knowing how and where to park will prevent any runaway cars or awkward conversations with the person’s car you hit with your door. But most importantly, all these things will help you identify when you’re in a safe situation and when you’re not—letting you know what calls to make, especially if someone else is driving recklessly. Making a swift yet safe park on the side of the road, avoiding the car, or getting off the same road as the car then reporting the license plate, you can do and learn all these things in driver education. Also, knowing when your own car needs to be fixed or checked, can help reduce car accidents.

On long days and party-hardy nights, instead of driving home, catch a ride with a sober friend, or call a cab/uber. Late night drives may seem nice, but if you feel too tired, don’t go behind the wheel. And just because the road is empty, doesn’t mean you don’t have to obey the road rules.

I’ve seen it first hand, on our way to the beach, early in the morning. A large, red truck making a quick turn into the KFC drive through, narrowly hitting my tío’s car that had my younger cousins in the back seat. When I worriedly watch my mother or father driving after having just one drink. Or when I clutch the seats while my sister maneuvers through the cars in the freeway, one hand on the wheel, the other holding her phone. I speak up, chuckling but find nothing funny, only getting a sarcastic remark back or maybe a laugh. I don’t think it’s funny, however, and the conversation gets serious. Sometimes I quip, ‘Put down the phone’ or ‘pull over, you’re getting tired/you’re tipsy, let someone else drive.’

These instances make me nervous, because my family or others aren’t practicing safe drivers education, so I remind them; like looking both ways, making a proper turn signal, or even putting on their seatbelt.

Now that I am ready to graduate high school and am beginning my own driving experience, I always make sure to put on my seat belt. And despite my father’s harsh tone or ‘I’m not mad just disappointed’ voice whenever I slow down and I’m not supposed to, I try to follow the rules of the road. Whenever I’m in the front seat, I ask questions about who has the right of way and who doesn’t. Whenever we drive on the freeway, I pay attention to the road marks and how they direct each turn. When we leave the state, I study the way the other drivers drive, noticing the smaller or bigger lanes, the loopy turns, the tall bridges or the steep drive. Any chance I get, I ask questions about driving and how to properly do it.

Even if I’m 21, I won’t be on my phone while driving. Every so often, I’ll look at the mirrors to see any cars and any warning signs they may present. Monthly, I’ll get my car checked out and the gas properly changed, maybe buy a new engine too. I may not be driving now, but I want to learn and take every precaution as a future driver. And when I finally become the next person behind the wheel, I will remember all these lessons and proper driver education and make the right choices to protect myself, my passengers, and anybody else on the road.