What It Means To Be A Good Driver

In the books while studying for my driver’s permit test, there was always one line that stuck with me and that was the phrase “driving is a privilege”. For some reason, that phrase was the motif to my driving, because I felt there was so much truth to it that many don’t realize. We all started driving for different reasons, for some, it was for dire transportation to make it to work to support your family, others were a little more fortunate and a car was gifted to them for a certain birthday in their late teens. Either way, people with different motives are placed on the same road, side by side with each other at dozens of miles per hour. This makes being a cautious driver even more emphasized in those materials I spent hours memorizing, making sure that I won’t be punished for someone else’s carelessness on the road. No matter the reason a person is placed behind the wheel, they should be sober and cautious of others.

Growing up, the drifting culture was thriving which made me addicted the sound of tires screeching against the asphalt combined with a perfect dry spell. Hours endlessly replaying movies and shows that manifested the visualization of how far a automobile can go. It also didn’t help that my family were really interested in off-road driving with ATVS and dune buggies surrounding me since the age of four. Fortunately, just as young as I was when I learned how to drive a vehicle with a motor, I was also taught the safety precautions necessary to even have the right to drive such a magnificent piece of machinery. Whether it was a steering wheel or handlebars, I was taught to always have both hands on controlling the vehicle. In every off-road toy, I wasn’t even given the key if I didn’t have my helmet on. All these “restrictions” may have felt hindering at the time, I came to realize with age that those were not restrictions but a necessity. “Anything can happen”, my father would continue to tell me every time I complained about the precautions. Whether it is driving in desert dunes, mountain inclines, or just to the gas station down the street, anything can happen just as equally. This is because even if you are confident in your driving, you can’t speak for everyone else in your surroundings.

The number of people who choose to drive intoxicated or in a wrong state of mind such as angry driving is overwhelming. In a survey taken in 2012, 29.1 million people admitted to driving under the influence of alcohol alone, not including other substances that cause impaired driving. That number is equal to the entire population of the state of Texas. If each of those drivers were to have an accident, the death and injury count would be one of the most horrific in human history. The only reason that it didn’t happen is simply because these drivers were not driving long enough but if they did, an accident would be inevitable. Not only is driving under the influence putting your own vehicle in grave danger, but also every vehicle you see on the way to your destination.

There are many ways that make you a good driver other than just knowing how to drive, reverse, and park. I needed and wanted to make sure that before I took any of my tests, permit and driving, I made sure that I knew enough material to not only pass the tests but also enough feel confident on the road with other drivers. Another important part of driving that makes you a good driver is other people’s driving. You can be the greatest driver in the world but all it takes is someone else’s mistake to ruin yours or your loved ones’ lives. This makes awareness very important when it comes to driving on public roads and can be the difference between a minor bump accident and a fatal with both cars totaled. All these steps, being educated and aware of others, are steps in becoming a safe driver and reducing the number of deaths.

Being a safe driver is the most important part of having the privilege of driving an automobile. Growing up, safety while operating anything was always emphasized just as much as driving itself. Even getting ready to take the driver’s permit and driving test, I made sure to know the material and laws just as well as I know the back of my hand. Finally, while driving I learned that I don’t need to be aware of myself, but that I need to be aware of other drivers as well. These are essential ways that someone needs to go through in order to become what they call a “safe” and “responsible” driver.

Work Cited

Edmund Murphy, “Driving While Impaired (DWI) Alcohol and Drugs”, June, 2023, accessed November 2023, Driving While Impaired Costs Lives: Learn the facts about DWI (recovered.org)