Responsibility Behind the Wheel

I got into a fender bender in my senior year of high school. I was on my way to school and I stopped at a light, for which I was on my phone trying to change the song on the radio. Little did I notice that my foot was off the break, and I was slowly encroaching on the driver ahead of me, and before I knew it I bumped right into her back bumper, and I will never forget the violent thud and shake of the car at the moment of impact. After the light we both took a turn and stopped on the side of the road to inspect the damage and talk to make sure everyone was alright, but that incident changed the way I saw safe driving. You see, my accident was not on a large highway or going at 45 mph on a main road, but those three seconds that I took to change the song, not only distracted me from the simple fact that I was not breaked, but also led me to a crash. 3 seconds, that is all it took for me to be distracted and get into an accident, and the days following that crash were not the best because of the consequences that my actions had that day. I seldomly drive after that incident, and the times that I do drive I practice nothing but good habits, with my attention fully on the road. I leave my phone in the glove box and don’t take it out until my ride is over, and I just accept whatever music comes on the radio, because after that day I learned that my attention should always remain on the road, not on the radio or anything else. I learned the consequences of bad choices behind the wheel the hard way on that fateful day, and moving forward I will always make sure to be a safe and responsible driver. When someone takes the reins behind the wheel, they carry a huge responsibility with them not only for their safety, but the safety of others. Education plays a large role in understanding that responsibility. To be educated in driving means that not only do you know how to operate a vehicle, but also understand that your choices have consequences on the road that affect everyone around you. Driver education ensures that people understand this important concept so we can reduce the number of deaths, because education is the strongest weapon anyone can wield, and it is a great defense to protect drivers and reduce the number of deaths. I think that a big step to reduce car related deaths is before someone steps behind the wheel they are issued a personality test along with the regular driving exam. Driving is almost all about making choices, and some people, no matter how many times you teach them, will do whatever they want, which puts their lives and others in danger. People that do not respect the responsibility of driving or the rules of the road should not be considered for a driver’s license, and this can potentially reduce the amount of irresponsible drivers on the road that could have potentially caused the death of another driver. Another step that can be taken is to teach drivers proper technique, and stress the necessity of understanding that your actions behind the wheel have major consequences to you and everyone around you. After the testing phase as a driver you should also practice good habits before and during your drive. Keeping your phone away from you, checking your mirrors prior to driving, keeping your eyes on the road at all times, maintaining a proper speed and using your turn signals are all just small things that can help prevent deaths related to driving. I strongly persuade others to follow my tip of keeping the cell phone out of reach, and also maintaining attention and good habits all throughout the course of your driving. Good habits and undivided attention are the keys to keeping you and others safe. I also persuade others to practice their driving as well. From my driving course that I took, a new driver is still inexperienced whether they have their license or not, and I think that practicing good techniques and road etiquette will help in that inexperience from forming into an accident. I of course demand that people never pair alcohol and driving, as the mix of the two never end up with happy endings. Have designated drivers when going out or take cabs instead, and even as a bystander do not give someone their keys if they are impaired, because you could potentially save a life that night. Driving is dangerous and can sometimes be scary, and these factors will never change no matter what, but practicing good habits and understanding your responsibility as a driver can help you and others stay safe on the road, and reduce the number of car related deaths.