Defensive Driving

The rain continues to increase as the water begins to coat the roads. The windshield wipers are set at the highest speed while cars begin to gradually slow. At this point, no one can see but two feet in front of them. These were the driving conditions of the day. I was not on the road that day but my best friend and his family were. He and I had been texting throughout the day and midway through our conversation he sent this: “dad’s driving is kinda scaring me. We are going fast in this rain.” I casually brushed off the text stating that they should be careful while driving, but not being terribly concerned for his safety. They were almost to their house anyway. In my mind, nothing could go wrong. Three minutes go by with no response, yet I am still not concerned. After about 10 minutes I get a call. My best friend frantically states that he and his family had just been in a wreck. He explained to me where they were located; only 4 miles from my house. He politely asks for us to come and pick him and his family up. My mom and I arrive at the scene of the crash and immediately notice their large Tahoe flipped onto the drivers side. It was lying in a ditch about 10 feet deep. My friend and his parents sat on the side of the road soaking wet and covered in bruises. They had hydroplaned. Thankfully and miraculously none of them suffered any severe injuries. After seeing the severity of the crash, I was deeply concerned. It made me realize that car accidents are something that no one ever expects, yet something that everyone seems to experience directly or indirectly. While crashes will always be an issue in our nation, there are ways that we can be safer drivers and lower the current car wreck rates. By properly educating and training drivers, we can reduce the number of crashes and fatalities that occur as a result of driving. In order to educate current and future drivers, we must ensure that everyone maintains a defensive driving attitude and stays up to date on road rules.

To begin with, drivers must be defensive and prepared, meaning that they must always prepare for the worst. It is extremely easy to become lazy when driving. After so long, driving feels second nature. However, that is when the problem begins. When we begin to drive while we are exhausted and overwhelmed, we make mistakes. This could include not using our blinkers and confusing other drivers, changing lanes at the wrong time, speeding, and much more. While these mistakes may seem minor, they can cost us our life or someone else’s life. Furthermore, when we rush and speed to destinations, we risk the possibility of accidents because we are not prepared to stop. These ways of driving are not defensive and put everyone’s life at risk. Therefore, we must change our lazy ways as drivers and become more prepared and ready for the worst. A small amount of fear when driving is healthy and for the best. We must also feel healthy behind the wheel meaning that we must be alert and awake. As I drive myself, I know that it is so easy to get in our cars and mindlessly and tiredly drive home. Yet, this is never okay in any situation. In order for me to be a defensive and prepared driver, I and everyone else must understand when it is okay to get behind the wheel.

Secondly, it is imperative that drivers stay up to date on the rules of the road. After taking our driving test at 16 years old, we are no longer held accountable or tested on how well we know these rules. Furthermore, we are not required to take another driving test. Still, it is essential for us to review and refresh our knowledge on these rules. It would be beneficial for drivers to take yearly courses regarding proper regulation and driving habits. It may also be worthwhile to test drivers’ knowledge every few years to hold them accountable. This could occur when drivers go to get their license renewed. Ensuring that everyone is aware of the road rules may cut down on the number of crashes that occur from confusion on the road.

Defensive driving attitudes as well as knowing road regulations have the potential to greatly reduce the number of crashes and fatalities that occur while driving. Had my friend’s father not been rushing and understood that it was imperative for him to slow down in the rain, that crash may never have happened. The same can be said for wrecks all across the nation. If we encourage and enforce these two methods our roads will be safer.