Stay Alert & Save a Life

The importance of driver education in reducing the number of deaths due to driving is about teaching drivers how to be safe on the road. Keeping yourself and those around you safe while driving helps to avoid accidents and possible loss of life. Staying alert while driving and not being distracted helps you to arrive at your destination unharmed.

Two important steps you should take to reduce the number of deaths related to driving are leaving early and paying attention to your surroundings. You have to keep in mind that when you are driving you are not driving to only protect yourself but those drivers around you as well. Being safe behind the wheel should always be on your mind when you get in a vehicle.

Leaving early allows you time for any obstacles that may be in your way. You should allow time for things like traffic, detours, road work, or inclement weather. Being safe while driving doesn’t only protect you but it also protects other drivers on the road as well.

When you leave home you never know what can or will happen. You are thinking about where you need to go, the route to take, and when you should arrive. You get in your vehicle and prepare yourself for your drive. The normal things are done first like putting on your seat belt, checking your mirrors, and adjusting your seat. You may need to put on your GPS for directions or some music for the ride.

As you descend on your journey, with the music playing you have to watch everything and everyone. You want to make sure that the music isn’t too loud to distract you from the road. You have to pay attention to vehicles around you and any pedestrians that may be in the vicinity. Being aware of your surroundings while driving allows you to be able to see and anticipate something that can occur that you want to avoid. For example, if traffic is flowing and the car in front of you abruptly hits its brakes, you want to make sure you have enough time to react.

Always drive a safe distance from any vehicle in front of you. You want to allow yourself time to stop to avoid an accident. This is most important in inclement weather. Stopping on dry pavement is easier than on wet pavement. Stopping abruptly on wet pavement can cause you to slide and hit the vehicle in front of you. This damages your vehicle and the one in front of you and can lead to a chain reaction of multiple cars being damaged and people being hurt.

My most recent experience was when I had my first car accident. I was on my way to work and the road was a little wet because it was raining. I approached the left turning lane and the car in front of me hit his brakes out of nowhere. Though I was paying attention it was unexpected and my front bumper hit the rear of his car. It was one of the scariest experiences I had while driving.

This accident had me shaking and I was really scared because I didn’t want anyone to be hurt. I had to remember to take a deep breath and remain calm. I didn’t want my mother to be mad at me for getting into the accident. We pulled over to the side of the road to inspect our vehicles. The driver I hit was very nice and patient while I called my mother. They spoke briefly on the phone. He called the cops who came to the scene but we were both allowed to go. My car took on a little damage and the other driver had none. This accident opened my eyes and allowed me to see what can happen unexpectedly no matter how safe you are when driving.

The steps that I can take to be a better and safer driver would be to leave early, make sure I pay attention to what is going on around me, and shut out distractions. I have to make sure that I am focused on the road and everything around me. I don’t only want to arrive at my destination safely but I want others to do the same. It only takes a split second for something to happen and go wrong. I am thankful to have been taught by my mother the importance of being safe on the road.