Why Safe Driving Matters

I believe that driver education is important in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving because it equips and empowers drivers to operate their vehicles in a safer manner. I remember when I went through driver’s education classes early in high school, and while I already knew many of the basics of driver safety, there will still things I had no idea about. I learned how if you’re driving at highway speeds, you travel the length of a football field in five seconds, and how even a five second distraction to check your phone or grab something from your purse or glove compartment can send you hurtling into another lane or car. Knowing that made me realize how even the smallest distractions while driving can easily have deadly affects, something I wasn’t fully aware of until after completing the course. It seems like a no-brainer, but driver’s education doesn’t just teach you about the commonplace rules of the road. It can also teach you important skills and habits that you’d never be aware of otherwise, and help you to become a safer and smarter driver.

There are a few obvious steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. One is to never drive when you’re drunk, intoxicated, or even in an emotional state where your judgment or attention is impaired. If you’re coming home from a party, get someone who is sober to drive, even if that means calling a friend or hiring a taxi or an Uber. If you just lost your job, or you broke up with someone, or you’re having an incredibly hard day and can’t even think straight, make sure your mental state is steady before getting behind the wheel. Another is to follow all the rules of the road: drive the speed limit or with the flow of traffic, use your turn signals early to avoid near-misses and collisions, keep an eye on your blind spots, and keep your head on a swivel. Keep your phone off or somewhere where it’s out of reach. If someone needs to reach you, they can send you a text or leave you a voicemail. If it’s important, pull off to the side of the road to take a call. Make sure you have everything you need before you leave so you don’t have to fumble around in your things while driving. Make sure your driving space is free of items that could cause jams or be a distraction. If everyone does their part to be a responsible and safe driver, we can greatly reduce the number of death-related deaths and accidents all over the world.

When I was a baby, my family’s van was rear-ended by another driver. There was minimal damage and my dad only suffered mild whiplash, but it easily could have been worse. Because of someone’s reckless driving, myself, my parents, and my two older siblings could have ended up injured, or worse. Thankfully I’ve never experienced a worse car accident, but I do know several people who have lost loved ones to car accidents. And unfortunately, I have seen both friends and family members drive irresponsibly. Some like to text or check notifications on their phones while driving, while others drive well above the speed limit, pause and don’t come to full stops at stop signs, and are generally not as careful as they should be. It always makes me very uncomfortable, and often afraid to be in the car with them. It’s hard for me to understand that in a world where we know what is safe and what is unsafe behavior while driving, so many people still choose the dangerous options.

As a driver, some steps I can take to become a better and safer driver are to make sure I’m always awake and aware before I get behind the wheel, remain present and aware of my surroundings, and alert to the other drivers and vehicles on the road around me. I can’t control what other drivers do, but I can control what I do.

As a passenger, I can also help others become safer on the road. Whenever I’m in the car with someone who is on their phone while they drive, I offer to be their copilot, to send a text for them, order their coffee online, or look at directions on their GPS. If the driver needs something from their bag, the glove compartment, or the backseat, I’m always happy to assist them. It seems like such a casual thing to just glance down at your phone or grab something from your bag, and yet it can be so deadly. Obviously, drivers have the biggest responsibility when it comes to keeping themselves and others on the road safe, but as passengers, we also have responsibilities too. When we have the opportunity to make our journey just a little bit safer, it’s up to us to take the initiative and make sure we’re keeping ourselves and others safe. It’s literally a matter of life and death, and all we have to do is step up and do our best to help.