Safety Driving Begins: Before, During and After

The number of death due to driving in America is shocking. How can something that provides great freedom, convenience, and independence – be so deadly!

In the beginning of the High School senior year, I was excited to be on my last year and finally be getting my driver’s permit. This was a rite-of-passage and a great sense of freedom. I enthusiastically reminded my parents about this important milestone and handed them a printed copy of the driver’s permit form.

My parents were not as excited, but they weren’t opposed for me to getting my driver’s license and enjoying the freedom. They were more concerned with me being a new driver and being on the road with irresponsible drivers. Both of my parents gave me my first lesson, but my first lesson was on the lawn tractor, if that counts. We practiced driving in empty lots, parking maneuvers, and many lessons about avoiding distraction while driving. My father is a Class A driver and is required to take yearly safety courses. He’s shared his experience on the road and the dangers. After this, I had many hours driving school classes as well as Safe Driving course. In Connecticut, a parent is also required to complete a training.

Sitting in the back seat of my parent’s car, I never realized how many distractions there could be. Once, I became a driver, I realized that phones were not the only distractions and causes of accidents.

The more you know on how to prepare yourself before, during and after getting into the driver seat, is crucial. Driver’s education can provide comprehensive insight on driving rules and safety. Although family members are a great source of information, they do not always recall all the driving regulations, or new rules. This is why it is important to take driver education and refresher courses. Knowledge is power!

Driver education techniques will boost your confidence and prepare you to handle challenging situations. You learn how drugs, alcohol, distraction, or drowsiness can impair your driving. It teaches you to be aware of the consequences of our actions, which can include points on our license, pricey tickets, court dates, wrecked cars, damage to property but most importantly getting injured or losing your life or someone else’s.

Steps we can take to reduce the number of deaths related to driving, is to sign up for driver education course. Brush up on your knowledge every year by taking safety driving online courses. Apply what you learn and share your knowledge with others. We should adjust mirrors; avoid ignoring signage, right-of-way rules, failing to turn on signals, checking for blind spots, avoiding road rage, alcohol, drugs, and speeding, especially on increment weather. You must always stay attentive and minimize distractions. A car accident can occur in a split second. To keep drivers accountable, it should be mandatory, that when a driver breaks the rule, they are required to retake a driver safety training, at their expense.

During my first year of driving, I experienced what it was to be behind the wheel of a car accident. The experience was frightening but thankfully everyone was safe. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same about the cars. Although the accident was not my fault, the experience has heightened my awareness to the driving around me. And if you think that the accident is the only nerve wrecking dilemma you must deal with, think again! The process dealing with the other driver, police report, insurance, searching for another car and DMV is extremely dreadful.

We all have a responsibility to be better and safer drivers. Safe driving begins before driving off, we need to inspect the car, leave early to avoid rushing, buckle up, get enough sleep, adjust all mirrors, radio, and temperature, assign a designated driver, select hand free mode, or set your phone to silent while driving. Avoid drugs and alcohol.

During the ride, keep both hands on the wheel, keep a safe distance from the car ahead, avoid grabbing things in the back seat, glove compartment or the floor of the car.

After arriving to your destination, make sure you have parked safety, obey parking regulation, align wheels properly, set emergency brakes, turn car, and lights off and lock your car before stepping away. And finally, keep up with all maintenance and recalls.

When we are in the car with family and friends, we should model safe driving and encourage others to do the same. Sharing is caring so share great driving tips with those you care about. Your life and the life of others is worth it!