Drive safe, Arrive safe: The road to responsible driving

Drivers Education provides critical safe driving practices including the understanding of road signs, learning defensive driving techniques, and mastering vehicle operation. The drivers education course was actually a course offered to me in my junior year of high school. I was 15 when I started the class and super excited to be obtaining my learners permit. This was only a quick course to prepare us for the road. By providing more in the drivers education course we can reduce the amount of unsafe driving due to confusion on the roads during power outages, being unfamiliar with specific traffic laws and the lack of understanding specific traffic signs. Unfortunately we cannot control the human emotions and avoid them from road rage but we can help those who are victims of road rage by helping them understand signs and teaching them ways to avoid driving too close to those experiencing road rage.

My mother, for as long as I can remember has been a hardcore “no texting while driving” advocate. For right reasons of course. There are approximately 400 deaths per year due to cell phone distraction while driving. That’s 400 too many. Today, most vehicles have car play which in my opinion has helped bring down the amount of phones in hands, but not enough to prevent accidents and cost peoples lives. Luckily with the new technology “Siri” reads off texts automatically and in order to reply all you have to do is ask “Siri”. There really is no excuse for having your cellular device in your hand while driving now and quite frankly, there never was. There is never a message or phone call important enough to risk your life or someone else’s life.

Unfortunately I have been a victim of another type of behavior while driving and that’s drinking while driving. I decided I did not want to go out this night and participate in the bar hoping my friends where doing, so I stayed home. I went to pick up my friend to take him home around 2 am. That night I had no idea my decision to stay in would result in my vehicle being totaled. I dropped of my friend and on my way back to my house I was being followed by pickup truck, a little too closely. I ended up having to speed up in order to avoid them slamming into the back of me. I got over into the other lane and they decided to follow and do the same resulting in them, well slamming into the back of me. This person did not stop, did not pull over, they kept driving and completely crushed the back of my hatchback. I proceeded to contact the police and they informed me that someone with the same truck I described had been stopped for a DUI. Luckily I was not injured and I was able to get everything sorted out but that was something that could have been prevented if this person had not gotten behind the wheel. No matter how much you think you’re okay and “just had two drinks” please have a designated driver around. That one decision can save a life.

In addition to distraction and drunk driving no one ever talks about another huge cause for crashes, Defective vehicles or vehicles parts! Many people that I know personally ignore those tell tale signs that your vehicle has something going on. That grinding noise your car makes when you brake, that light on your dash that flashes when you drive… come on people let’s be smarter. There are only 15 states in America that require Periodic safety inspections, this seems wrong. In order to ensure vehicles are safe to be on the road and pass all of the safety requirements, I believe every single state should have an annual safety inspection. This would reduce the amount of accidents caused by people who ignore the signs and decide to go for a risky drive. With owning a vehicle comes big responsibility and one of those responsibilities is making sure you keep your vehicle safe and clear of any faulty parts that can result in you loosing control.

In conclusion, I believe that Drivers Education is a crucial factor in reducing the amount of accidents and promoting road safety. Everyone regardless of age should be required to complete a full course of Driver Education equipping drivers with the same skills and knowledge. This way we can collectively strive towards a safer, more responsible driving culture for everyone on the road. Put down that phone, give your keys to your sober buddy, and don’t ignore that weird sound your car makes.