#ThinkBeforeYouDrive

I grew up on an island where driving safety protocols were emphasized daily. My father never started the car until everyone had their seatbelts on. Every day on my way to school, there were signs everywhere promoting safe driving techniques, digitalized speed limits, and even chips in cars that would start beeping when a driver exceeded the speed limit. Since I was never the driver, I didn’t worry much about safe driving techniques or driver education. As long as my mom or dad was driving, I felt safe and didn’t think I needed to take any extra steps for safety.

That perspective changed one day when a car stopped abruptly in front of my dad’s car, forcing him to slam on the brakes. Unfortunately, I was the only one not wearing a seatbelt, so the sudden stop caused me to jerk forward from the middle back seat, slamming my body into the dashboard and my face into the windshield. Luckily, I only sustained minor injuries. This experience made me realize how crucial it is to take responsibility for my own safety, even as a passenger.

When I was old enough to start learning to drive, I was excited—until I found out I had to take a 32-hour course before getting my permit. At first, I thought, “What’s the point? Isn’t it just about controlling the car with the steering wheel?” However, once I started the course, I realized why driver education is so important. I learned about interpreting road signs, defensive driving techniques, and understanding how factors like speed, turning, and braking affect control. I also learned to anticipate other drivers’ actions, identify hazards such as poor weather conditions and reckless drivers, and understand how alcohol, sleep deprivation, and even emotions can impair driving, potentially leading to accidents.

Research shows that comprehensive driver education significantly reduces the likelihood of crashes. For instance, drivers trained in defensive driving and safe-following distances are better equipped to avoid rear-end collisions, one of the most common types of accidents. Driver education also helps young drivers recognize how factors like emotions can impact driving behavior. As a teenager, I know how hormones can cause mood swings that may lead me to act impulsively without considering the consequences. Emotions like stress, anger, happiness, anxiety, and sadness can all severely affect driving behavior.

Teaching drivers—especially teenagers—how to manage emotions on the road is essential. For example, avoiding reactions to aggressive drivers, staying calm during arguments with a passenger, and remaining patient in traffic can reduce accident risks. Learning to control these impulses behind the wheel can make all the difference between a safe journey and a dangerous situation.

Another critical factor in reducing accidents is awareness of how health and fatigue affect driving ability. Although everyone loves a good night’s sleep, not everyone gets the amount they need. Mandatory sleep education should be a crucial part of driver’s education, as it would teach drivers about the dangers of drowsy driving and the impact of fatigue on reaction time and decision-making. Educating drivers on the risks of driving while sleep-deprived, promoting breaks on long drives, and encouraging alternatives like calling an Uber or asking a friend for a ride when fatigued can help prevent drowsy-driving accidents. Regular health screenings, especially for vision, could also be beneficial. Many accidents happen because drivers’ vision is impaired, so ensuring everyone on the road is fit to drive would make roads safer for everyone.

Technology also plays an important role in reducing road accidents. Features like lane departure warnings, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring can significantly reduce accidents, especially for new drivers who are still developing their skills. By encouraging the adoption of cars with these advanced safety features and offering incentives like insurance discounts, we could make these lifesaving tools more accessible. These technologies can assist in reducing human error, which is one of the main causes of accidents, and make it easier for drivers to stay safe on the road.

During my driver’s education, I was introduced to driving with a simulator before I was allowed on the road. I remember enjoying the thrill of driving fast without the fear of real consequences. However, in the simulator, I quickly learned how even a slight turn at high speed could cause my “car” to spin out and crash. Although it was just a simulation, it taught me a valuable lesson about the dangers of speeding. No matter how tempting it may be to drive fast, the risks are simply not worth it. It’s better to arrive a few minutes late than to drive recklessly and put my life—and others’ lives—at risk. Patience is a crucial skill that I intend to practice as a driver.

Another step I’ll take, and encourage others to take, is to speak up if something is making driving unsafe. For instance, if I’m driving friends and the music is too loud, I’ll ask them to turn it down, as it could distract me from being alert. If a family member or friend tries to start a heated conversation while I’m driving, I’ll ask them to wait until we’ve parked in a safe area. By setting boundaries, I can stay focused on the road and ensure everyone’s safety.

Driving isn’t just a way to get from one place to another; it’s a responsibility to protect our lives and the lives of others. Every decision we make behind the wheel—whether it’s slowing down, staying focused, or choosing to wait for a safer moment—has an impact that goes beyond ourselves. Driving safely is a choice we make to protect everyone on the road.

In conclusion, safe driving is not just a practice; it’s a promise. We owe it to ourselves and others to make conscious, responsible choices every time we get behind the wheel. Through driver education, responsible health and sleep practices, and a commitment to prioritizing safety over convenience, we can each contribute to a safer world on the road.