Minding Your Manners on the Road

Driver Education Initiation Award: Minding Your Manners on the Roads

There’s no better feeling of freedom than the open road, more specifically, driving on the open road. Of course, it gets you from Point A to Point B, or it can just be a great way to clear your head and get some fresh air. Many children grow up watching Disney’s Cars, having Lightning McQueen or Mater as toys, and wishing they could travel down Route 66. Some even watch NASCAR, tasting the victory of that 200th lap, just like Dale Earnhardt Jr. or Danica Patrick. For children, driving is fantastical, playful, and free. For adults, driving is just as free, but with way more responsibilities. Real people, on real roads, that make real conscious or unconscious decisions. Driving as free as it can be, is nothing to be taken lightly. In the United States alone an average of 34,000 people lose their life per year in driving related accidents. According to USA Today, there has been an 8% spike in deaths and hospitalizations alone in traffic related incidents from 2019 to 2020. It is imperative that we take measures to not only educate individuals to practice mindfulness, but also enforce reasonable policies to ensure safety.

The first step to change is spreading awareness. Education is key when communicating the seriousness of driving safe. The saying goes, ‘If you know better, you’ll do better’. It’s important that communities are put in the know, about being present in the vehicle, being patient, and focused. If everyone not only hears, but put safe driving tips into practice, it makes better roads, and a better driving experience for everyone. If individuals prioritize taking responsibility for their safety, the overall driving experience and quality of life will increase for everyone involved.

In order to ensure safe driving and reduce the number of fatalities, certain practices would have to be implemented. Firstly, signaling: it is important that when trafficking you communicate your intentions. Countless people have been sideswiped, T-boned, or had close calls all because they, or another driver didn’t signal. It’s easy to get lost in the music, in our heads, or distracted by company, but being a good driver means being aware of your surroundings, and it is your job to make others aware of your moves so all parties can have time to adjust. Secondly, patience, which is a long-lost trait of road etiquette. We all have places to be, people to see, football games, nail appointments, school, even work. Rushing doesn’t work well for everyone. When we rush, we make impulse decisions, we don’t think or see as clear. This leads to road rage, which in turn could lead to more accidents. Even the simplest things such as planning out your day and giving yourself more than enough time to leave and arrive at your destination, could save a life, even yours. Besides, everyone deserves a little grace don’t you think? Thirdly, limiting outside distractions: everyone is not a great multitasker. Ouch! I know it’s a hard pill to swallow but everyone CANNOT multitask. Some of us have a hard enough time picking out the days outfit, so why would choosing a lipstick shade, or picking between Gatorade and Red Bull be smart to do on the road? The things that are not important can wait. Even if you are great at keeping focused on more than one task, you never know when someone else might make a last second decision and force you into a new reality. I myself, have never been personally involved in any accidents. Fortunately for me, I come from a long line of great, mindful drivers. However, I’ve seen my fair share of how unsafe some people are on the roads, and, witnessed close calls between vehicles. It pays to pay attention and be thoughtful about your decisions.

When it comes to being a safer driver on the road, the number one thing that should be incorporated is planning. Planning in time, and planning routes in travel. This will reduce the number of split-second decisions, the frequency of accidents, and the lower likelihood of communication. I for one, limit distractions. I love to talk, like loooooove it. I’m very expressive and like to use my hands, my head, my neck, whatever is animated and movable, I will use as a prop to get a point across. I especially like to look at the person I’m talking to, but when you’re on the road, you MUST keep your eyes on it. So, I’ve learned I can engage, but do so safely so my passengers and myself reach our destination in one piece. Classes are also a thoughtful way of spreading the message about driver safety. Bringing them to schools for teenagers, and not just in driver’s education, but actual panel discussions, auditorium events, even town hall meetings. Letting people share their experiences; hearing from officers, EMT’s, paramedics, and more, as well as giving advice to the youth and adults in turn, about how they can make smarter decisions and influence their peers to do the same. Last but certainly not least, courtesy. It’s a unique thing that is rarely seen, and rarely heard, especially when driving. Warning: what I’m about to say may set off some triggers. It’s perfectly alright to yield. It’s perfectly alright to give someone the right of way. It’s perfectly alright to not get that parking space, AND to let someone in front of you. At the end of the day, we will all end up where we need to go. Practicing road etiquette extends grace to all of us, you never know what kind of day someone is having, and in turn we’re likely to have the same reciprocated.

Driving is a privilege. It symbolizes independence and freedom. To preserve that privilege, we must better our driving abilities, doing what is right so others can learn from observation. Remembering to be present, is what will save us all, and ensure that no one else must fall victim to negligent driving. Together we can create a better neighborhood, a better community, and a even better future for multiple years to come.