Driver Safety

In drivers ed, one learns about the legal aspects of driving, such as but not limited to the blood alcohol content (BAC), insight into useful driving techniques, traffic rules, maneuvering, the proper way to do a three-point turn or holding the wheel, how to respond accordingly to various dangerous driving situations (such as at night) and the effects of car related accidents and deaths. Although drivers ed provides a solid basis and foundation for drivers to drive safely, there can be improvements made to traffic laws, enforce speed limits, encourage drivers to yield to pedestrians and those utilizing bicycles and skateboards, anticipate various situations, and especially avoid distractions. Although I personally don’t know anyone that has been in a car accident while I’ve been alive, I am too familiar with relatives driving irresponsibly. My grandfather for one does not obey speed limits. On a highway, he will exceed the indicated speed limit (typically around 55-70 mph), and drive at 100 mph. My parents are irresponsible, but in a different way. For those that don’t know, Pokemon Go is an augmented reality mobile game that enables players to catch pokemon in real life time, battle gyms and foes, and trade with friends. In the game, there is a function where if one surpasses a certain speed limit, it will notify the individual to not play while driving, and ask if you’re a passenger. While driving, my parents will have Pokemon Go propped up and play the game while driving, and when that notification pops up, they click the “I’m a passenger” option. When I point out the recklessness of it, all they respond with is how they’ve been driving for 30+ years, they know what they are doing. But that’s the thing. Age and years of driving doesn’t mean you won’t get into an accident. All it takes is one mistake, one slip up, one blunder and miscalculation to end up in an accident, leading to the death of yourself or someone else. On my end, I can do my part in keeping myself and others safe on the road by obeying the speed limits, not drinking and driving, and not becoming distracted. Doing any of those things could lead to that single blunder that could end my own life or another.