Navigating the Path to Responsible Driving

Driver’s education plays a crucial role in reducing the number of deaths resulting from driving. It is an important component in ensuring drivers have the appropriate knowledge, skills and attitude to safely operate a vehicle. By providing driver’s education, individuals can learn about the traffic laws, defensive driving techniques and to know the possible consequences for driving recklessly on the road. Driver’s education is about teaching you how to drive defensively and knowing how to anticipate and handle potential dangers on the road. When you learn these skills, you can steer clear of risky situations and make accidents less likely. Driving isn’t simply passing your test and now you can drive freely, it is about making sure you are following all the laws and signs on the road, it is about paying attention to your surroundings and staying alert of the people around you.

When it comes to reducing the number of deaths related to driving there are a few steps that can make a difference. First off, to make sure you and your passengers are always buckled up, even if you are just driving down the street, you never know what could happen so you want to be buckled up. Second, obey the traffic laws, speed limits and road signs. There is no need to speed, you will get to your destination eventually, speeding and avoiding road signs can easily cause an accident and affect you and the lives of those around you. Another step is to avoid distractions, that text will be waiting for you once you have reached your location, why risk your life all because you were distracted and on your phone. It only takes a split second for something to go wrong. One of the most heard about accidents is due to drunk driving, it is especially important for people to know that the consequences of drunk driving are serious. If you are drinking, call someone to pick you up or have a designated drive but there is no sense in getting behind the wheel while intoxicated or under the influence which could possibly result in the harm of yourself or someone else. Drunk driving is preventable but yet about 37 people die everyday from accidents in the United States involving drunk drivers. By taking these steps, we can all work together to make the roads safer and reduce the number of driving related deaths.

I have only been in one accident my whole life, it was 2021 when the freeze had happened in Texas. Everyone was going crazy when it hit, stocking up on food and water and ransacking the grocery stores and many places of employment had closed due to how bad the roads got. At that time, I worked at a senior home as a server in the kitchen. Even though it was dangerous to go on the roads and I had little to no experience while driving in those kinds of conditions my boss at the time said, “ If I can make it to work then you can too.” My parents as well had asked if I had to work and of course I said “yes, but I don’t think I can drive over there.” They said it’s my job and if I work I need to go in. So I took off, very slowly and as carefully as I could, I tried to avoid the icy patches and was almost successful when I lost control of my car. I called my parents crying and they came to get me and my dad drove my car home, and I let my boss know I tried to get to work but wasn’t able to. Thankfully I had been buckled up and hadn’t even made it far from home but no one was hurt. I was so scared to drive, I had never had to drive in those conditions and was not prepared for how to handle things. Sure I got my drivers license but never really experienced bad weather in that sense. When I had first applied for driving school, I started doing it online but I didn’t really get the whole experience. But at 18 I still hadn’t finished the course so I was able to do the required 6 hour course online and set up my appointment for my driving test at the DMV. Learning to drive was a different story. I started out learning with my dad but he got impatient very quickly and all it did was make me nervous. So my mom took over, she would take me out to practice in parking lots first then she would ride with me to work until I felt comfortable driving by myself. Lastly, learning to parallel drive, my friend taught me how to do so, we would go out a couple days a week and practice until I had it down. With all the practice I had for driving, none of it prepared me for driving on an icy road, it didn’t prepare me for how scared I would feel after it happened. Slowly, driving from school and home or the gas station I was able to gain my confidence back in terms of driving. Now I am more aware of my surroundings and also my capabilities when it comes to driving.

Some steps I have taken since my accident are that I’m more aware of my surroundings and the weather. If it is raining too hard and I’m unable to see, I pull over somewhere safe until it passes or drive slower until I reach my destination. Whenever I am driving and have other people in the car I make sure they are buckled and sitting right before even taking off. Before taking off if i’m playing music i put it on a playlist and put my phone down so i am not distracted by it. One thing my dad has always told me that I always follow is keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front of me. That gives me more time to react in the event that something unexpected happens. Another thing that helps me and other drivers around me is by using my signal lights and using my mirrors to ensure I am okay to turn or switch lanes. These are just some of the ways I have ensured I am driving the safest and ensuring that the people around me stay safe as well.