In the Drivers Seat

Education is vital in all facets of life however, knowledge is a powerful tool that some yield more often than others. We have all had days when we overslept and ran a little behind getting to work, we may have even driven a bit faster than the speed limit or ran a yellow light to make it on time. It’s times like these when the rules of the road may escape our minds. There are drivers, however, who consistently disregard basic but important driving laws and courtesies. I see people every day, switching lanes without using their blinkers, going well over 60 miles an hour in a 45, and passing people when oncoming traffic is closer than is comfortable. I understand that circumstances can arise that make people think that disregarding the rules of the road is acceptable but that is when driving gets more dangerous than it already is. When we do not communicate with other drivers that we intend to switch lanes by using a blinker we are potentially causing a wreck, especially if you cannot see another driver in our blind spot. We can also cause car wrecks when we drive over the speed limit. People can be unpredictable and driver errors are inevitable because we are all human and are capable and prone to making mistakes; this is why it is important to follow traffic laws as closely as possible to minimize the risk of making fatal mistakes for everyone on the road.

Taking the time to teach new drivers the proper procedures of the road is fundamental to reducing the number of fatal car accidents. The last thing any teenager wants to be burdened with is the death of another person at their hands. Emphasizing the realities that come with driving as ugly as they may be is crucial. An uneducated and reckless driver is a dangerous one. As seasoned drivers we, when given the opportunity, have the responsibility to educate our youth not just about the possible legal repercussions that come with driving but also about the ethical responsibilities that come with it. I think it a reasonable safety measure for our elderly community members to be retested on driving laws, and get an eye and cognition exam when they reach a certain age. I have seen numerous elderly drivers make wild mistakes when driving that could have caused an accident if the drivers around were not paying attention to their surroundings.

Accidents happen all the time. I work at a hospital and the number of vehicular-related traumas we get regularly is enough to make me never want to drive again. Thankfully, I myself, have never been in an accident. My mother taught me to drive and she taught me well. I do my best to be a defensive driver and pay attention to what is happening around me. I am aware that awareness is not enough to keep me safe though. I know that not everyone is a conscientious driver and that one day I may be the victim of someone else’s recklessness. But all that I can do is continue to do my best and not contribute to poor driving habits that could lead to the loss of someone’s loved one. Several years ago when I was a child both of my older sisters were in a car accident up on a mountain road. I remember how scared my parents were when they found out. I would never want to be the cause of making a family feel uncertain and terrified for the well-being of their loved ones.

When it comes to driving no one will ever be perfect because mistakes happen. I will continue doing my best to be aware of my surroundings and not make any dubious driving maneuvers. I currently and will keep telling my friends and family when their driving is reckless and that they need to make changes to their driving habits. I do not currently have children but if I ever do I will do everything in my power to make sure they are fully ready to take on the challenges of the road. I will enroll them in a Drivers Education course because as confident as I am in my driving abilities I know that there are teachers who are more qualified than I am to train the drivers of tomorrow, helping to ensure the safety of everyone on the road.