Driver education initiative 2024: In the driver’s seat

For me, there are but a few events that come close to being as dangerous and deadly as road accidents. Road fatalities bring indescribable pain and grief to affected individuals. Therefore, it is important to be a safe and educated driver so that I don’t end up taking someone’s life or my own. Ignorant of driving knowledge and skills cannot be excused. Prior to taking my driving Ed classes, I knew very little about driving safety. I must admit that listening to my driving instructors on basic driving rules was quite tedious – for me there is so much to observe and do on the road.

Meanwhile, we all know that driving education is crucial to reducing driving-related deaths. It gives helpful information on traffic laws and regulations, enabling drivers to make wise decisions while driving. Additionally, it highlights defensive driving strategies to help us avoid other drivers’ negligence at all times. Awareness of driving under the influence, speeding, and other related issues is increased through driving education. The possible risks associated with these careless driving practices should be recognized, and safer driving practices should be implemented. During my driving Ed classes, I learnt the importance of being patient, respectful and careful.

I believe that all stakeholders must be brought on board in order to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. Policymakers, driving and traffic regulatory bodies, drivers and other road users should be actively involved. First of all, creating awareness is key. The general public should be sensitized on the importance of safe driving. To do this, we ought to take advantage of social media platforms such as Facebook, X, YouTube, and Instagram. This is not to say that traditional media channels should be ignored. Public awareness campaigns must also be conducted on televisions, radios and newspapers. It is also necessary to enhance driving instruction curricula to highlight best practices. Comprehensive instruction on defensive driving, traffic laws, and road signs should be provided to new drivers, among other topics. Regulations must be enforced, and lawmakers must enact harsher penalties for defaulters and drivers who break traffic laws. To improve the safety of all road users, our roads need to be well-developed. Incidents resulting from poor/bad roads are inevitable. To prevent and lessen the severity of accidents, our roads should be renovated, and road signage, particularly turn signals, should be improved. We must utilize technology to its fullest. I would suggest that we include safety features in our cars, such adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning systems, blind spot recognition, and automated emergency braking. Since vehicles burn fossil fuels that release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, it will be worthwhile to promote the use of alternative means of transport such as walking, cycling, and carpooling. This will not only reduce the number of vehicles on roads but go a long way to mitigate the impacts of global warming. Both the young and the old should be involved in efforts to promote road safety.

Ever been in an accident? A big no! Driving irresponsibly? Yes! It is not as if I’m an experienced driver. This has got to do with driving irresponsibly during the road practice offered during my driving Ed classes. It was one of our usual driving sessions. I sat in the driver’s seat while my instructor sat at the front seat beside mine. We started off on a good note. At a point, he instructed me to perform 180^o rotation to reverse the direction. I followed his instruction but I did so carelessly (I think I put too much pressure on the accelerator), and almost ended up in a pit. Never have I been so shaken; fear enveloped me. What even broke the camel’s back was the instructor’s reaction. He was completely pissed, and chastised me till we got to our final destination. In fact, at that moment I realized the fragility of life. I had so much regrets that day, and the lesson learned is that always be extra vigilant on the road; don’t lose focus.

As a novice driver, there so many things I can do to ensure safety. It takes proactive steps to be safe and safely protect others on the road. I ought to be a law-abiding citizen – in this case abiding by the driving laws such as not over-speeding, not driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, observing road signs, not on phone while driving, and wearing my seatbelt. In addition, I have to keep up with any changes to the law and any advancements in road safety. Though my family or friends could have taught me how to drive, it was important that I enrolled in defensive driving classes to be taught by experienced, professional instructors, and this enhanced my driving skills. What I know is that driving requires maximum concentration, therefore, I should try as much as possible to minimize distractions (such as eating, chatting, texting, responding to phone calls, turning my head to wave someone I know, and arguing with another driver) while driving. On the road, nothing should take my attention off the driving. Absolutely nothing! I also need to know when and when not to drive. Is the weather safe? Are road works being done? These and many other questions must be answered before I sit behind the wheels. Every morning before I set off, I need to check my car – check tires, fluid levels, brakes, lights etc., as well as, adjust my seat, and make sure my car is functioning properly and is legally insured. Furthermore, I have to be respectful and patient on the road. I need to give indication when I want to turn, and also provide other drivers and road users the right of way. There is the need to avoid aggression and violence on the road, as well as, keep the required distance to the car in front of me. All these are important steps that will create a ripple effect. When I drive safely it will help others to be safer on the road.

Meanwhile, let’s not forget that drivers are not the only road users. There are pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. As a driver, I need to pay attention to them – always look out for children who are crossing the road to go to school; make sure crosswalks are free of pedestrians and; look out for pedestrians who are distracted by their phones and cyclists who want to go ahead of everybody.

I believe strongly that change starts with me first. If I want my friends, family and other drivers to drive safely, I can be a model by making sure that I follow all the standards I mentioned earlier and bring change on our roads.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts and experience with you. I hope I have demonstrated enough that I am a great advocate of safe driving, and a potential awardee of this scholarship.