What It Means To Be An Educated Driver

What It Means To Be An Educated Driver

Receiving driver education is essential in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving. The reason it is essential is because completing a driver’s education course prior to obtaining a license will help teenagers and adults of all ages to develop understanding of basic vehicle controls and traffic maneuvers before operating a vehicle. Education is not just important when it comes to avoiding accidents and tragedies on the road; education is the key to living a longer life in general. According to a February 21st article written by Vanessa Chalmers, a health reporter for Mail Online, every extra step of education adds 1.37 years to your life expectancy. Driver’s Education will save lives.

A few steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths on the road include understanding that you are not the only driver on the road, and any irresponsible action you take on the road can harm or fatally injure others on the road. Another step includes never getting behind the wheel of a car when you are intoxicated or drowsy. These actions will impair your judgement and influence you to make terrible decisions while behind the wheel. Always make sure you are sober when driving. Another step is to know your limits when driving; meaning, know when and how you drive best. If you know you do not drive well at night, avoid driving at night. If you know you are not the best driver in areas where there are steep curves or are difficult turns, avoid those areas altogether.

Lastly, if you wear prescription glasses that improve your eyesight, wear those glasses while you drive and avoid driving without them. I personally wear glasses and there have been several times where I have gotten into a car without my glasses and I was about to start driving. Once I remembered I did not have my glasses though, I had a decision to make. Either I would continue to drive with less than optimal vision and put others in danger on the road, or I could go back into the house and grab my glasses. Always choose the safer option.

I have never been involved in a car accident, but I have been in the car with some friends who drive irresponsibly from time to time. I have a friend who likes to speed within city limits when I drive with him. He has never been in an accident but there is high risk for one to occur when he drives in that manner. Most times when I talk to him about it, he receives my plea for him to drive more carefully and his actions follow. Sometimes it is difficult to confront my friends about their driving habits because it makes for an awkward and uncomfortable conversation and atmosphere. However, their life, my life, and everyone else driving on the roads’ life is potentially in danger if I do not speak up, so I have to overcome my feeling of dreadfulness and address the issue in a way that will lead to a positive outcome.

In order for me to become a better driver, I believe I should continue to watch people who drive well for example, my mother, and compare it to my own driving and see where I can make adjustments. In order to become a safer driver, I believe that I should check my rearview mirrors more often when switching lanes and making turns. I also believe that I should review my books that I read for Driver Education when I used to take that course and refresh my memory of some of the signs on the road and procedures to follow when driving. In an effort to help others become safer on the road, I can use my social media influence to share messages and posts about how to drive safer and the consequences of not adhering to driving laws and regulations.