Pay Attention!

It feels like a dream: the sudden realization, the thud of metal on metal, the explosion of white clouds popping out of nowhere, the slow piecing together of the puzzle. It only gets worse: the image of a man – head in hands – sat in a once comfy seat, the head hung in shame as cars whizz by; some carrying acquaintances who spread rumors like wildfire. The mangled metal mass: a deformed husk of what was once a treasured vehicle. Car safety is important because the alternative is pure horror.

Driver education is important and far too looked over. As a new driver, half believe that driving is simple and don’t put any effort into the courses required to obtain a license. This is a major issue considering they are skipping tiny details to driving which may seem minute but could save a life. This same confidence is what also leads to reckless decisions while driving which could cost a life. What could make new drivers pay attention to these courses? There are two key factors that control attention: understood importance of content, and engagement of content. In order for new drivers to focus on these courses the content must be shown as important: the dangers of driving must be presented clearly and understood by the student. The course must also keep the student engaged: additional aspects are added to keep the student’s attention. These two factors will help students with obtaining and memorizing the lessons taught on driving safety.

It was the start of what was assumed to be a wild summer. My first summer with a car was expected to be nothing less. I could go wherever whenever. It was the teenage dream; a dream I indulged in by taking a trip to Culver’s. Dylan (my brother) and Chris (my close friend) joined me on my endeavor to fulfill the start to this summer. It was the first day of summer and we had just finished volunteer work that involved moving band equipment at our highschool. We had fundamentals camp at six in the evening and we wanted to hangout before the event. Culver’s, however, was not the most memorable part of the day. My memory becomes vivid as I replay the drive to the fundamentals camp in my head. Chris had asked to play a song and was handling my phone in the back, my brother sat next to me. We were headed towards a bridge that is known for its hill-like structure, blocking the other side from both ends. I drove through the first of the two lights that were placed on either side of the bridge. This light was almost always green, the one on the other side was similar; my guard was down. I reached the bridge and started up the incline, casually chatting, when I noticed a familiar license plate. My attention turns to this car asI slowly catch up to the car. My head cranes to the side as I look into the window to see the driver. My undivided attention on whoever was in the seat. As I reached the car I saw the driver and realized it was not at all who I was expecting. “Weird,” I thought as I turned my head to the road in front of me. The line of cars at the light was backed up and I only had time to curse before crashing into the car in the back.

You receive a lot of advice as a new driver; it becomes hard to remember every piece of it. As I looked at the three cars destroyed: one mine, one a family friend’s, one a stranger’s. As I saw a man I didn’t know sitting with his head in his hands. As I sat in an ambulance while a paramedic asked me questions on how I was feeling. I realized there’s one piece of advice that should be stressed above all else: pay attention. My dad said, “your head is on a swivel, you’re gonna turn it, and 90% of the time you’ll get away with it.” This quote still resonates with me. As a driver of any experience not paying attention can cause an accident and it is the easiest rule to break. Whenever I drive I keep my head forward. Now when I turn it I am processing everything around me and making sure I am in a safe situation to do so. It is only ever turned for a maximum of two seconds. I make sure to inform all new drivers I know to do the same. You will learn a lot when you learn to drive. People will tell you everything they know to keep you safe and while it is all important there is one rule that trumps the rest: pay attention.