From Reckless to Responsible: My Wake-Up Call Behind the Wheel

What is the importance of driver education in reducing the number deaths as a result of driving?

I believe driver education is especially important since driving has become crucial to the structure of our society. Due to our landscape and how the US has expanded, it is nearly impossible to live in this society without a means of transportation. Sure, you can walk everywhere, but that could take upwards of several hours. It’s more favorable to take public transportation or your own method of transportation due to how far away everything is. Due to how integral driving is in our society, it is now more important than ever to train people properly on how to drive safely. Driving is not ever going away, as we literally cannot stop expanding and move our already built buildings anywhere else. On the road, there are lots of different types of people, so knowing how to drive to protect not only yourself but others as well is something that needs more emphasis and importance. Things on the road can change in an instant. This is why driver education is important, as you need to be aware of all the possibilities of the road and how to best prepare yourself for them.

What steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving?

I know how our structure is with new drivers being given probationary licenses and everything, and that’s a good start. It encourages safer driving habits. However, what I don’t think is being emphasized enough is to be aware of other drivers. Yes, your own ability to drive matters tremendously, but sometimes, being safe on your own is not good enough. When you’re on the road, you’re sharing the same space with other vehicles and drivers, so you must always be paying attention and practicing good driving habits. Don’t have any distractions like a phone or computer, and make sure your eyes are always on the road. A little saying I like to tell myself is that when I drive, no matter how safely I manage to be, I still have to baby other drivers. This means that when a car pulls up rather quickly, I slightly move forward myself to give them more space to brake. Or when I know I’m being tail-gaited. I move over a lane to allow the other driver to move forward. No matter how safe I drive, there will always be people out there who make mistakes. We’re human, it’s in our nature. So, despite believing that everyone should just know what to do, assume they don’t, and do your best to prevent an accident. I often times think of that one “Last Chance” clause in the law where a car accident’s fault is determined by the last available movement a driver was able to make to prevent an accident. If there was nothing you could’ve done, like someone just pulls out of nowhere, then that’s unfortunate but not your fault. However, if the accident could have been prevented or mitigated by you making a slight movement or adjustment in time, and you just chose not to, then yes, you’re at fault for some of the accident because you didn’t do anything. This further proves that being vigilant and hyper-aware on the roads is now more important than ever.

Have you ever had an experience of being in car accident or have seen your friends or family members driving irresponsibly?

I remember one of my earliest experiences in driving where I almost got into an accident. I had just recently gotten my license and had bought a used car a week prior, and I wanted to hang out with my friends. I felt confident in my ability to drive, so I drove on the freeway to get us to our destination faster. I remember I was fixing to get off on an exit ramp, and I failed to be in the right lane to get off, so I cut through the median to get there. I’m not proud of this action and while my friends in the car didn’t notice, the driver I cut off sure did! They were mighty upset with me, and what they did next made this experience a core memory for me. At the bottom of the exit ramp, the driver I had cut off accelerated and swerved in front of me to cut me off at the stop sign. Our cars made the letter “T” basically, and I couldn’t get around him unless he moved. He parked and got out of the car to start cussing me out because I cut him off in a dangerous maneuver that could’ve ended badly. I’ll admit, I didn’t see the driver as I fixated on getting off on the correct ramp, so that was a failure of attention and awareness on my part. I was also fixated on the conversations I was having with my friends at the time, which took away more of my attention. My friends and I sat in my car for what felt like 5 minutes of this man just cussing me out, and then eventually he kicked my car and then drove off. My friends seemed not to understand what happened as they all started berating him to me, but I understood the man’s frustration. In this society, it goes back to what I said earlier. You can be the safest driver, but still get into an accident because of someone else’s lack of awareness. I felt really bad after that interaction, as I noticed when he took off that he had a wife and kid in the car, making me feel more guilty as something bad could’ve happened. I take it as a sign of life, though that I had that experience as I now am more hyper-fixated on the road than ever. I still look at the road despite what my passengers may be saying to me. I never use any electronics while in the car. And now, if I miss an exit, oh well, I’ll get off on the next one. I never want to be the reason someone else loses their life and significant others.

What steps can you take to be a better and safer driver as well as help others become safer on the road?

I think always remembering what’s at stake is the first step. Sure, my friend’s house or the cookout I’m going to is like a 5-minute drive away, but that doesn’t matter. Driving should always be taken seriously, as all it takes is one bad thing to happen on the road for lives to be impacted forever. I’m always thinking about how I want to still see my family and friends and not deprive them of having me in their lives, and vice versa. I always think about others too, as there is always a family out there that would hate to see their loved ones not come home. Though it may be a small drive to some, it should always be treated with the utmost level of caution and care. You never know what drive could be your last, as ominous as that may sound. While I believe driving should be treated seriously, as long as you’re following all the proper driving procedures and not being a distracted driver, most of the time, you’ll be fine. However, that doesn’t detract from the importance of knowing how to drive and being aware of others. As I mentioned before, I truly believe everyone should adopt the mindset of “I need to baby other drivers” so that you’re hyperaware of other people and trying to correct their mistakes. It’s a state of mind, a mentality that is so helpful to adopt. Small movements matter, especially with large immovable vehicles. By following these steps, we can all help each other to become safer drivers on the road.