In The Driver’s Seat

In
The Driver’s Seat

Thousands of new
drivers embark on our nation’s highways every day excited and
nervous about finally having a driver’s license and a new sense of
freedom. But with that freedom there are new responsibilities and
unknown dangers. Thousands of people die each year as a result of
negligent driving. Drivers ed is an important tool to help
spread awareness on safe and responsible driving. It also provides
steps each driver can take to help reduce the number of lives lost
and gives insight on how you can contribute to the safety of not only
yourself but others as well.

Driver’s
education is the most important tool in learning to drive. It
provides the basic knowledge needed on traffic and sign laws,
maneuvering your vehicle and avoiding distractions and unsafe
drivers. Whether you attend a drivers ed course through a
school, or a parent taught course, the information provided is the
same and very valuable. Recognizing and knowing the do’s and
don’ts of driving will help to reduce the thousands of driving
fatalities. Drivers ed allows you to apply the safe
driving practices in the classroom and over the road.

As a new driver, it is very important to adhere to all traffic laws
and road signs. Your vigilance in driving the speed limit, making
complete stops at stop signs, not running traffic lights and use of
signals can play a tremendous role in reducing deaths related to
driving. Unfortunately, our society today has an even bigger
obstacle to tackle when it comes to driving and that is distracted
driving. Many drivers today are constantly distracted while driving
because of answering their phone or texting while driving. With the
advancement of technology, you can contribute to be a safe driver by
putting your phone on DriveMode or other similar apps which notifies
your callers of your unavailability because you are driving.

Driving is a very
serious task and as a new driver, you can be a role model for those
traveling with you. Always display the proper way to drive, watch
your speed, and change lanes and not use your phone. You must drive
in a defensive mode and always be aware of your surroundings. There
are many people on the roads today that drive carelessly and have
their own ideas of how to drive. I have traveling with family
members that use their phone or are distracted by other passengers in
the car. As a new driver myself, it makes me more aware of the
things I should do to avoid accidents and become a more responsible
driver.