In The Driver’s Seat

Driver education teaches the rules and information that is necessary for drivers to be aware of when they are on the road and operating a vehicle. It covers a vast, yet vital range of information that is critical to knowing how to safely operate a vehicle on the road and maintain it. It teaches students things from responsibility to traffic rules and signals to the effects of alcohol and drugs to external forces that could pose a threat to the driver in certain circumstances and situations, and how to best manage and approach those situations. The driver’s ed course is very thorough and being aware of all the concepts will reduce the number of deaths on the road due to more informed decision making. Driver’s education also requires a written test that ensures students have studied and learned the content taught in the course which is another preventative measure against ignorance and lack of awareness.

The steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving is numerous and mainly involves increased awareness and focus. Drivers should acknowledge a responsibility to check everything in and out of their control: any damages or repairs that the vehicle may need, wearing seatbelts, paying attention to the road, looking both ways before turning and making sure mirrors are optimally arranged to be able to clearly view other cars and pedestrians, making sure to signal, and turning on and off the correct respective headlights. Drivers should also take responsibility in their personal behavior including avoiding the use of alcohol and mobile phones whilst driving. Both hinder the concentration that is vital to being safe on the road as alcohol impairs focus and texting or calling is a huge distraction that causes the driver to not consider essential observable information or hypothetical situations that they need to in order to make the best decisions. For example, someone distracted at the exit of a parking lot would not consider cars from the opposite lane turning into the lot and would not pay special attention to look out for that which highly increases their risk for a car accident and potentially death.

While I am fortunate enough to not have been in a car accident, I have seen some family members driving irresponsibly and not observing traffic rules like turning at prohibited spots and speeding over the limit. Every time it happens, I get a pang of anxiety because of the potential for danger and accidents. Seeing such irresponsible behavior motivates me to do the opposite as I practice driving behind the wheel to obtain my own driver’s license.

Steps that I can personally take to be a better and safer driver involve studying hard and paying attention to everything that my teaching instructor and mom have to say to me. Fortunately, my mom is a careful driver and points out many things that are crucial to driving safely to me such as considering all intersections and possible routes that other cars may be coming onto which makes me shift my focus to considering hypothetical situations I should watch out for. Being able to recognize potential situations greatly lowers the risk of accidents because I can then take the right actions to avoid potential accidents such as waiting and watching out for incoming cars. Another thing is always watching out for pedestrians and other cars regardless of the traffic light and who has the “right of way”. Even if it is my green light or if it is my right of way, I can take the safer way out of the situation by yielding if I observe that others are not going to stop for me. Even if it is not my fault in the end, both parties still get hurt. Through doing this, I also hope to set a good example for my siblings and anyone else I will be driving in the car. I can also inform others of the dangers of not obeying rules and limits when I observe them practicing dangerous and undesirable driving habits in order to ensure safety for everyone in the car and on the road. Furthermore, consideration and patience is key. Planning ahead is also important so there is no pressure to rush or make irrational decisions as I noticed that my dad was habitually late to everything and therefore rushed on the road to make up for that time. Patience is needed as well to make thorough observations and drive accordingly to prevent hot tempers that usually end up in road rage that greatly increases the risk of accidents as people’s egos overtake their ability to make good decisions.

Overall, there are a lot of decisions that we can make on the road and in our personal lives that can increase the safety of our driving experience. Although everything may not be in our control, we should still put the maximum effort into doing what we can to be more cautious on the road because we all only have one life and we should cherish that for ourselves and everyone else around us.