Steering Toward Safety

Steering Toward Safety

Although I have not yet sat in the driver’s seat with my foot on the pedal, I practice driver safety by holding the people in the driver’s seat accountable. I have listened to friends’ stories of minor car accidents. While I am grateful that none of them sustained major injuries, I get reluctant to even start learning how to drive because of the fear of the possibility of getting into an accident and someone gets hurt.

As such, I strongly believe that all new drivers, especially younger teenagers, need drivers ed. It is always a good idea to at least review the material even if they think they know everything. There may be little details that are important to know, such as what to do if the vehicle’s blinkers are not working. A clearer understanding of the driving rules and safety helps the driver know what to do in different situations, as well as a reminder of the consequences of bad driving habits. This all leads to a reduction in vehicle accidents, and thus a reduction in deaths as a result of driving.

Safe driving habits are the key. Having a conscious awareness of one’s surroundings ensures that the driver knows what is currently happening and how to respond to the situation. Paying full attention to the road, keeping distance from other cars, weather conditions, and going the speed limit are only a few simple ways to accomplish that. Especially as phones are in more people’s hands, distracted driving is an important issue to address. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about nine people are killed and more than 1,000 are injured each day involving distracted driving.

This is why I remind myself to be vigilant of the road and the driver whenever I am with somebody who is driving, whether it be my parents, cousins, or friends. I scold them if they attempt to pick up their phone, even if it is a long red light or if no other cars are in sight. I help them with navigation so they do not need to look at their GPS. My parents even installed a beeper in the car for when it backs up so it gives a warning to surrounding people to watch out. It really especially helps my mom with parking in crowded or small parking lots as to avoid accidentally hitting other drivers or bystanders.

When the need to be able to drive forces me onto the driver’s seat, I strive to be as responsible as possible. Until then, I will continue to observe other people driving and learn from them, along with helping them also stay safe.