Driving Privilege: Be Cautious, Alert and Responsive

I have severe driving anxiety. Getting behind the wheel is terrifying, as you put yourself and others at risk of being in an accident. Driving a 3,000-pound vehicle is not something to do lightly. Driver education is essential for drivers to know how to be safe on the road, both for themselves and for the others on the road. Rules exist for a reason, and they should not be broken, especially when driving, as it would cause absolute chaos. Drivers are taught to always be aware of the others on the road, so staying vigilant and alert will reduce the number of deaths caused by driving. Learning the rules and meanings of road signs is also imperative. It is shocking how some don’t know what certain road signs indicate.

Most people now acquire their license at 16, and they study enough to pass the written exam and driving test, forgetting the information after. However, when driving, one must always be learning as well. Once people pass their initial tests at the young age of 16, their license can be renewed for the rest of their lives without having another test to ensure they are driving safely. For example, a 60-year-old man can be driving 30 mph on a semi- empty freeway, which is incredibly unsafe for not only him, but the others driving on the freeway as well. For situations like this, people should be open to constructive criticism, constantly learning to be better drivers. Also being aware of how others are driving—swerving, speeding, etc.—and calling the police, when necessary, should be an easy way to reduce deaths related to driving. If someone is unable to drive straight, they could be driving under the influence, meaning they have put you, others, and themselves at risk of being in a fatal accident. Driving for the weather conditions is imperative as well. One should not be driving fast—even on the freeway—if the roads are iced over, as the cars can and will hydroplane. It seems like common sense at times, but people do forget, especially when driving becomes second nature, so staying conscious and aware of one’s surroundings is crucial.

I personally have not been in any accidents, but my mom has been in at least 5 that I can recall, and shockingly, none were her fault. The other drivers were distracted and not paying attention to the roads, or the rules of it. Her most recent one, the car caught fire and luckily other drivers that witnessed the accident stopped and helped her. She had to be taken to the hospital and had bruises, but otherwise my mom was fine. As for my dad, he is normally a good driver, but there is one incident I can recall where I was terrified an accident would happen. My dad and I were leaving a professional football game, later in the day, after he had gotten home from a full day of work, so he was exhausted. As he was driving through a mountain-y area, he begins to doze off and almost drives straight off the hill we were on as a guardrail was not in place there. After that, I made sure to keep him awake by asking as many questions as possible, ensuring he kept talking no matter how little sense his responses made. I learned that as a passenger, you also have a responsibility to ensure the driver is not distracted, alert and conscious of the decisions they make on the road.

Since the experience with my dad happened when I was young, it always made me so much more aware of the road. I put off getting my license until I was 20, ensuring I only got it when I felt ready to drive. In the society we live in now, driving is essential to do everyday activities, but one must remember the dangers and risks that accompany driving and take it seriously. Driving only when necessary, awake, and able to be cautious and alert of the world around you. Never driving under the influence nor texting and driving–which can be difficult, but responding to a message is not worth the risk of your life or others.

Driving is necessary to get around in this society, but doing so responsibly takes little effort. Get a license only when you feel confident enough to drive and continue to learn as you grow as a driver—and ensure others also learn from their mistakes. Paying attention to the road, staying conscious, alert and responsive is imperative to reduce the number of casualties that occur due to driving.