Safe Driving

I live in Virginia and I obtained my permit at age fifteen and a half then my driver’s license at age sixteen and three months.  There was classroom education, behind the wheel instructors, mandatory hours both day and night with driving scenarios, and a meeting in front of the judge at the local courthouse.  There are rules with driving as a teenager from the number of people allowed in your car to curfew hours.  One of the most beneficial pieces of the behind the wheel training was the off road skills.  I was able to do off road driving recovery versus watching a video which was an option.  Keeping my vehicle in good condition also helps with safety and in Virginia each vehicle must be inspected yearly.

Driver education is critical to teach knowledge and skills necessary for road safety.  Knowing traffic laws helps drivers know sign meaning and make educational decisions while behind the wheel.  When I took the written exam, having a score of one hundred percent was required for sign knowledge and I believe that should remain in the future.  Being able to interpret signs across the State and Country can reduce the number of accidents and ultimately deaths.  Teaching and understanding the importance of distracted driving or driving under the influence can help keep all safe on the roads.  Making strict fines or punishable consequences hopefully deter individuals from breaking the law, but unfortunately there is still a percentage of people willing to risk the lives of others.  Increasing checkpoints by the police could help catch offenders.  I have seen this in my community on holiday weekends, but there could be benefits of having it more year round.  Having the community and establishments promote alternative transportation before someone gets behind the wheel while intoxicated could help keep the community safe.  Several times of year, I see advertisements on social media to advertise taxi rides and community members offering their services especially around New Year’s Eve.  Another way to reduce the number of deaths while driving is to provide signage or alerts that there are dangerous roads due to bad weather.  I have seen improvements of this over the years with signage on the roads themselves and also sharing information via social media.  In my town, there are some low water bridges that can flood easily.  There have been a few deaths over the years with individuals trying to drive through high water, but in recent years there have been barricades in place that are closed during inclement weather.  Encouraging seat belt use and infant carrier installation can help reduce accident fatalities.  The local fire department offers to check child seat installment for accuracy and safety.

I have been in a car accident when I was younger, driving as a passenger with my grandmother while she was rear ended.  No one was injured thankfully and it was no fault of hers, but it still was jarring.  My mother was in two car accidents that she has shared the stories with me.  She was not driving irresponsibly, but one was due to ice on the road and she was car number three in a nine car pile up.  For the second accident, one of her car tires came off while driving and literally rolled on in front of her while she came to a stop.  Having the tools or supplies with you and knowing how to handle situations are important.  She also has shared a story where her eighteen year old cousin lost his life being the designated driver in bad rain and he lost control of the vehicle.  Everyone in the car survived, but him and the tragedy had an impact on the entire family..  Knowing of these events help me be more aware of my driving.

My commitment to safe driving habits and to always expect the unexpected hopefully will keep me safe with being on the road.  One never knows what someone else is doing in their vehicle from being distracted, to not driving sober, to driving fatigued, or to not obeying traffic laws.  I have a younger sister that will be eligible for her permit early next year and I hope to be a mentor as she becomes a new driver.  Encouraging road safety, not only with drivers but with pedestrians, using crosswalks and bike pathways have helped in my town.  Also, having decreased speed limits and speed cameras in school zones I believe have made these areas safer.   If each person takes a responsible stance on driving, it could improve road safety overall.  Driving is a privilege not a right.