Take Responsibility

Driver education is essential to the safety of not only the driver, but to the general public on and off of the road. While you learn a great deal about driving once you are on the road as a licensed driver, having a solid foundation before then can be the difference between life and death. Each of the pages of the driver manuals were put together in its entirety as a means to help each potential driver demonstrate comprehension of the minimum requirements.

Prior to taking my driver test, I not only read the manual, but went to a driving school to help me gain confidence on the road. The instructor would highlight details that are often missed that can prevent unnecessary accidents through proven systems that are both tested and practical out in the field. For example, when doing a turn about, he made sure that I not only completed the turn, but that I looked in the rearview, out the driver’s window, and finally in the side mirror to insure that I did not miss someone in my blindspot or someone that made an illegal pass.

There are a variety of precautions that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths out on the road, some being less intuitive than others. Beginning with a pre-trip inspection of the car would help the driver identify any obvious damage or issues that should be addressed before making it onto a major road, such as inflation of tires. If a person is transporting goods, they should ensure that the cargo and all of the straps are properly configured. If you are driving with small children, each door should have the child lock engaged and any car seats properly adjusted to keep them from becoming a distraction while on the road.

I believe that one of the best steps that could be taken would be to put your cell phone in the glovebox to keep from being distracted while driving. Texting and driving is by far one of the most dangerous situations out on the road. While driving the driver should be vigilant and continually be scanning the roads for potential hazards, such as drivers driving erratically, tractor trailers with goods hanging over their trailer, or children on the sidewalk playing with a basketball.

If a person is intoxicated, they should not be on the road, period. If the driver can’t make the right decision themselves, passengers or family members should call an Uber for the driver to keep them off of the streets to protect other people out on the road. A better step would be to leave the car at home and take an Uber to whatever event that may involve alcohol, to prevent the temptation of driving at all. Driving the appropriate speed limit is also a step that can be taken to prevent deaths, especially in unfamiliar areas or areas that have deferred maintenance.

The reason that I mentioned the previous two last is because I have personal experience with how those two situations are dangerous. I had a friend who would drink and drive, while texting and driving at high speeds. I remember the night before he died, we had just finished work and he had told me that he was going to a party that night. I invited him over for the night to hang out because I knew that he would drive. He refused and the next morning I received a phone call from his mom that he hit a telephone pole doing 80 MPH while drunk.

Since that event, I am a huge proponent of people taking Uber. My advice for other drivers would be if you are having a party or get together and there is alcohol involved, give up your keys the moment you ingest alcohol. Call an Uber and live to play another day. As for myself, I have small children so I take driving safety seriously by keeping them in mind whenever I put the keys in the ignition. I can perpetually improve on awareness, judging scenarios such as slowing and stopping based on environmental conditions, and recognizing physical issues with the car that might cause a hazard on the road.

A great way to help other drivers be safer would be to help teach someone to drive. While visiting family in the Philippines, I taught two of my brother-in-laws to drive a manual transmission truck. I made sure that I gave them practical ways to understand when to shift and what they should look out for on the road with the truck. One of the brothers has gone on to work as a private driver.

Another way to help others become a safer driver, is to give feedback while driving. I mean this last point not in a nagging way, but as constructive feedback when you see something dangerous while driving, such as crossing in the middle of an intersection or attempting to pass a car on the right side while on the freeway. Take responsibility and hold others accountable out on the road so that we can all go home safely.