Driver Education Initiative Award: In the Driver’s Seat

Driver’s education is an important thing for anyone who is looking to hold a driver’s license. Driver’s education not only raises awareness of risky driving behaviors but also teaches strategies to avoid these behaviors. Driver’s education decreases the chances of an accident and accidents that could lead to death. Some of the steps and precautions taught in driver’s education to prevent accidents include, driving at the speed limit or below it, staying at a safe distance from the car in front of you, using proper signaling to let drivers around you know whether you are merging over or turning, and obeying traffic signs.

Speed limits aren’t just important for the safety of the driver but the drivers around them as well. If a driver were to be going ten over the speed limit and someone is wanting to turn in front of them, they could be at risk of being rear ended because the driver was going too fast and they were not able to perceive that. Staying at or under the speed limit can reduce the severity of the impact of a car crash. If someone is going over the speed limit, there is higher risk of severe injury if an accident were to occur. Speed limits are set for the safety of not only drivers, but bikers and pedestrians as well. Staying at a safe distance from the car in front of you allows you to be able to break suddenly if needed and not have a chance of running into the car in front of you. Using proper signaling allows the cars around you to know what you are doing, and gives them the chance to adjust their driving for you.

I have not personally had an experience of being in a car accident, but my best friend’s grandpa was in an accident and lost his life. He was driving home at night one day, the light for him had turned green and he went through the light. As he got to the middle a car coming from the cross directions ran the red light, hitting her grandpa head on causing him to pass at the sight of the scene. This not only caused a life but a tremendous amount of pain for my best friend’s family. My best friend never knew her grandpa because of this. Her mom was only sixteen when she lost her dad. For a while my friend’s mom was anxious to ever get in a car, let alone drive. She feared the same thing that happened to her dad would happen to her. This is why following traffic signals is super important. There’s a chance that if you don’t you could lose your own life, or worse take someone else’s life and have to carry that with you for the rest of your life.

I am in no means the best and most perfect driver. There are definitely some things that I need to do and be more aware of when I am driving. The first thing I can do to improve is to make sure I am more aware of my surroundings. Sometimes I think I’m the only car on the road when really that’s not the case. I need to be better at checking my blind spots when I am merging into different lanes. Making sure my mirrors are adjusted correctly also helps me to see my surroundings better. I also need to do a better job of scanning the road periodically, not just keeping my focus straight ahead.

Another way that I can improve my driving is by reducing distractions. I have a bad habit since I am always on the go of eating while driving. This not only distracts me from driving and what’s around me but also lessens my ability to control the car. If i have to hold something in one of my hands to eat it, i am taking away from my full ability of controlling the steering wheel. Having to take my hands off the wheel makes it harder to respond to unexpected situations on the road. Eating while driving not only can be a physical distraction but also a cognitive distraction. Having to switch between eating and driving causes reaction time to go down and can also lead to being less aware of potential hazards on the road.

Knowing the rules of the road helps to reduce the risk of accidents. This is why driver’s education is something everyone should go through. You will learn the steps and precautions to take to be a safe driver. This will not just protect yourself but the drivers around you as well.