Steps to being a Safe Driver

When I stepped foot into my drivers education class, I remember being overwhelmed with rules. There were so many rules that I began to tell myself that they were common sense. Granted a lot of driving can be common sense, but a lot of times people take these very simple steps to being a safe driver and shove them aside. I am here to show that this is unacceptable and that it needs to change.

When I first began driving there was one thing that stuck with me before I turned the key in the ignition. “Be aware of your surroundings”. At the time it seemed very cliche as I was told that same phrase leading up to my first time in the driver’s seat. Now having two years of driving experience, as simple as these words are, I look back and see how important those five words are to driving. Being aware of your surroundings has so much more meaning than just keeping your eyes ahead of you. It is important to watch the other drivers as well. Everyone has heard stories about innocent people getting into accidents. Yes this can sometimes be due to a minor error, but I find a lot of times it is others lack of spatial awareness that is the issue. I cannot count how many times I have been cut off or run off the road because another driver didn’t see me. If I wasn’t so aware of what the other drivers were doing around me, I probably would have ended up in an accident or worse.

There is another thing that I was always told in school when it comes to driving. My teacher always told me to be careful who you drive with. I would always look back at her confused. I would always think that I am a responsible driver no matter who is in the car and that other people don’t have an influence on my driving. But I was once again mistaken. When I got home from school that day I researched factors that promoted irresponsible driving. The recurring point I kept seeing was that friends change your driving habits. I eventually learned this myself when I began driving with my friends. I could tell that my driving habits were looser when my friends were in the car. I was less focused on the road and more on what my friends were laughing about. These experiences driving with my friends opened my eyes to how dangerous it can be driving with others. Now I understand more why there are so many accidents involving numerous teenagers in the same car. I found that when I drove my friends around that I was subconsciously changing my driving habits to make myself seem cooler or more experienced, when I was actually putting my friend and myself at risk.

Lastly, what seems to be the most important thing for me when I drive is to take your time. Nowadays we are always in a rush to get places. Think about any time that you go out onto the road and you see people zooming past others. Weaving in between cars just trying to get ten feet ahead of someone else. How far does this actually get them? If there are ample cars on the road passing one car is not gonna be worth the higher risk of a ticket or an accident. When you drive you want to calm down and not try to fight to get ahead of the car in front of you. That isn’t going to save any time, it is just going to put you more at risk or injury.

Overall it may seem that these three crucial steps are very cliche and redundant, but I can assure you that no matter how many times you hear it, they are always going to be the most vital steps you can take to protect yourself on the road. I have learned it myself and these steps have granted me no accidents, no tickets, and no fines. These three crucial steps have saved my life numerous times, and I can assure you, that they will save your life too. Five years down the road when you avoid an accident because you were more aware of your surroundings, you will reflect on when you read this essay and think to yourself, “This is what he meant ”. Driving requires full concentration and is a test of patience. Don’t let an automobile be the cause of your injury. Stay Safe.