Remind Ourselves of the Rules of the Road

Seeing the red car race past me, just inches away, as a child forever changed how I viewed safety on the road. Every year, people refrain from taking driver’s education. Every year, people ignore the road rules. Every year, thousands of people die from car crashes. In Canada – 160,000 alone, and 2800 result in death (Canadian Transportation Safety Board, 2017). Sometimes, we will read the news or hear from our community about a tragic incident on the street but think, “That could never be me.” We fall victim to the idea that, as experienced drivers, there is no way any casualties could occur. However, accidents happen all the time, and some of them can be preventable. Driver’s education can be fundamental to making our roads safer. The courses can remind people of the rules, better prepare us for accidents, and teach us to be more alert and cautious.

Rules are in place to protect us and the people around us; they provide clarity, consistency, and confidence. Breaking the drinking and driving rules can be the most detrimental. Alcohol affects people in different ways, whether the effect is different because of weight, tolerance, or type. Some may think that one or two drinks will not affect their driving; however, any amount of alcohol affects judgment and motor skills and should not be on the road. Not only can a license be taken away, but the chance of an accident is more probable due to impaired vision. These accidents can affect anyone: the driver, a passenger, or pedestrians. Having alternate plans to get home – such as Ubering or having a designated driver, can keep everyone safe. Education about drinking and driving is detrimental. Showing the consequences that could happen and what goes on in the brain when alcohol is consumed lowers the chances of people attempting to do so. Distracted driving is an activity that diverts a driver’s attention away from the street, like being on your phone or eating. The brain has to constantly switch between two tasks, in this case, the road and the distraction, making the brain less efficient at both. Driving is an activity that needs constant attention, and multitasking compromises performance on the street. While driving on the road, traffic signs can secure our safety by cautioning the driver about oncoming danger and through signaling movement. For example, stop and yield signs signal to slow down, and pedestrian/school signs signal to watch out for people walking near the roads. They remind all drivers to have a more organized and safer driving experience. Understanding the meanings of each sign allows for better compliance with the laws and more confidence on the road, which reduces the likelihood of a calamity. Through driver’s education, drivers can remind themselves of the rules of the road, providing clarity, consistency, and confidence.

Precautionary driving is about anticipating and avoiding potential accidents on the road. It signifies being attentive and anticipating potential mishaps on the route, which is crucial to preventing accidents. One of these methods involves keeping a safe distance from other cars, which allows for a better reaction time in case something happens – like a collision. For instance, if the vehicle ahead suddenly brakes or swerves, the driver can react accordingly by applying brakes, swerving away, or assessing the situation in that time frame, thus avoiding a collision. Scanning the surroundings lets drivers avoid oncoming obstacles like construction, holes, or animals on the road. Some cars have taken extra precautions. Letting the driver know if the vehicle is skidding, if there are other cars nearby, and warnings on the map of any obstacles. Lastly, being visible to other cars and using the proper indicators are also techniques for careful driving. Planning is a big part of preventative driving, and driver’s education equips drivers with the necessary knowledge and skills to create a safer driving experience. Taking driver’s education is precautionary, as those who take it have a reduced likelihood of being involved in an accident. For example, in the crashes that caused injury or death, 2.6% did not take the course, while 2.1% did (Accident Analysis and Prevention, September 2015). An educated driver is a safe one.

Children are taught to be extra careful on roads; they are unpredictable and frightening. When I was younger, I always looked both ways, raised my hand, and walked carefully. I am the eldest child, so I always set a good example for my younger brother. However, one sunny morning, I was waiting on the sidewalk, and I pressed the crosswalk button. The sign flipped to “walk,” and soon I was halfway across before I saw a blur of red that raced past my eyes. My heart rate increased drastically. My ears felt like they were ringing. Barely being able to process that I was close to being hit, I ran across the other side of the road. That day, my life was up to the hands of chance. If I was a little faster, I wonder if I would still be here today. Although I was okay, drivers should always be vigilant no matter what.

Due to my experience, now being a new driver, I take extra steps to ensure that my driving is the best it can be. I get ten hours of sleep before driving, drink water to clear my mind, and get food. These little practices help me stay attentive on the road, and I remind my friends to do the same. Then, before I even got in the car, I checked the area. I adjust my mirrors and seat each time and always look ahead, behind, or beside me – depending on the situation. Safe driving is a priority for me to keep everyone on the road safe.

By emphasizing the importance of driver’s education through following rules and preparing for incidents, the roads become a safe place. Drunk driving is dangerous for everyone and should be avoided at all costs, while distracted driving is an attempt to multitask – making it hard to focus on what is on the road. Both of these are illegal activities and are set in the law to avoid accidents. Furthermore, traffic signs such as school zones and stop signs are there to protect the driver and warn them of dangers ahead. Preventative driving is about keeping safe distances, scanning surroundings, and being visible to other vehicles. I have had a couple of close accidents with unsafe drivers, so I make sure to be as safe as possible when driving. Every year, driving education becomes more necessary to take part in.