Fill Your Mind before Filling The Tank

During the pandemic in my state, drivers could get their license without ever hitting the road. That was a risky proposition because many young kids became drivers without the knowledge and tools needed to be safe drivers. Driver education is fundamentally important to reduce or prevent deaths on US highways. While any driver can be taught to put a car on the road and drive it in a straight line or turn left or right, it takes a skilled and knowledgeable driver to be able to handle the many exceptions to the rules and adverse conditions and scenarios that may occur while driving. Driving begins far before pressing push to start or placing the key in the ignition.

Many lives could be saved if drivers of all ages took the time to be more serious about driver education. This means taking a defensive driver course, signing up for drivers ed, being more interested in being a good driver instead of just a driver. My mother took the time to discuss not only driving, but car maintenance, and how to operate everything on the console before ever letting me behind the wheel. We talked about different driving scenarios and how to respond if something went wrong. She wanted to make sure that I not only felt safe was being safe while on the road. Even after over a year of driving she still does this when we are riding together.

My mother was the president of Student’s Against Drunk Drivers when she was in High School. She talks a lot about how the organization put together regular campaigns that focused on driver safety and education. Whether during special events like homecoming or prom or just everyday reminders to be safe on the highways her organization made it a habit to keep safe driver information in front of students. Student drivers would be more apt to take driving more seriously if initiatives like this returned to schools on a regular basis along with a required driver education course. This would keep driving as a focal point and place greater accountability on the students, especially if they were quizzed regularly. Knowledge is like ammunition in the hands of a trained professional, when used with the proper training the safer you will be.

I have never been in a car accident, but my mother has been in a couple of accidents and my older brother totaled her car. All three instances were cases of lack of driver awareness and unsafe practices. My mother was the victim of someone else’s negligence both times but was not badly injured. An unlicensed driver pulled out in front of her the first time, and a teen ran a red light while texting the second time. My brother caused the accident that totaled my mom’s car, and someone was injured. Had he been more conscious of how a person’s emotional state affects driving, his accident could have been avoided. He left the house angry and therefore was driving recklessly and hit another car head on. Had he been more in control of his emotions or had he made the decision not to drive at all, he could have saved my mom and the injured victim thousands of dollars and pain and suffering. He could have taken a life that day.

Aa a new driver I am extremely aware of how badly others driver. It angers and frustrates me how negligent or reckless drivers can be needlessly risking lives with their irresponsible behavior. Instead of being angry, I can be more alert, pay greater attention so that I can be prepared to make the best decision possible should things go wrong on the highway. My mother says we have to drive not only for ourselves but for those behind us, in front of us, coming towards us, and driving beside us. If I can drive with others in mind, I will be more courteous, more alert, and more gracious on the highway.

Holding my peers accountable for their bad driving habits is also something I am passionate about. Texting, drinking, being distracted, these are all areas I will say something about to my friends. I have had to pick up friends who have gotten drunk. I have encouraged friends to put the phone down while driving, even if it is just to change the station. I remind them that our eyes belong on the road because in an instant, a life could be changed or lost with a bad decision. It doesn’t make me popular, but it does make me feel safer.