IN THE DRIVER`S SEAT

The invention of the wheel is regarded as one of the most important inventions in human history. It contributed to advances in transportation as it made transportation on the road faster more secure and more efficient. Throughout human history, driving has been and is still one of the most important professions in human society. Driving is a skill every human needs to learn and master if the individual is mentally and physically capable. Drivers carry a lot of responsibilities when they sit behind the wheel regardless of what the driver is transporting. It could be goods or humans or even one`s self. The responsibility of driving safely won`t be any less important because driving safely ensures not only one’s safety but also the safety of others on the road. Drivers face a lot of risks while driving. These risks include accidents leading to death, robberies, road rage, etc. The responsibility falls on the driver to know what to do in these possible situations and this can be achieved through education. This essay will focus primarily on the importance of driver education and how it can potentially lead to reducing the number of deaths caused by accidents. Drivers education is important in reducing the number of deaths related to driving for several reasons. Firstly, it provides new drivers with the necessary knowledge about traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. Understanding these elements helps drivers make informed decisions while on the road. Speaking from experience, a few years ago I traveled to the capital of Ghana, Accra. It was a night journey and I sat closer to the driver. During the journey, the driver was trying to overtake a bus ahead of us the tail lights of the bus kept on blinking twice anytime our vehicle tried to overtake the bus and this signal would make our driver slow down and stop the overtaking. It was dark so we couldn’t really see but anytime our driver slowed down a vehicle would pass by from the opposite direction. The bus driver was signaling our driver that it was not safe to overtake. An accident was prevented that day and our lives were saved solemnly because both drivers were educated and knew exactly what to do in a situation like that. Lives could have been lost but such tragedy was avoided because both drivers were educated.

Several steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. On this point, I would like to speak from my current cultural context. These steps include good roads, functioning traffic lights, regulations to stop drivers from driving very long hours, periodic driver education programs, license checkpoints, assistant drivers on long journey trips, and vehicle stability checkpoints. I believe these initiatives if implemented and taken seriously can reduce the number of deaths related to driving. Years back in high school, we went on a school trip to see historical sites in Cape Coast, Ghana. On our way back to school from the trip, some of the students noticed the driver was dozing off while driving. They alerted the teacher and He stopped Him. He rested for a while and they gave Him an energy drink so He would be energized to continue driving. If the students close to the driver had not seen Him, He could have driven us off the road our lives would have been in danger. Driving from Tamale where my high school is located to Cape Coast is a 10-hour plus drive. Even though the accident didn’t occur, this could have been prevented if the driver rested well before the journey started or if an assistant driver was ready to take over should the main driver become incapable of driving or continuing the journey.

While I haven’t been directly involved in a car accident, the dangers of irresponsible driving have been a stark reality in my life. A close friend of a colleague’s mother suffered severe injuries in a drunk driving accident, a harrowing reminder of the devastating consequences of reckless behavior.

My own experiences have further solidified my commitment to road safety. During my university years, I frequently rode with a roommate whose disregard for traffic rules was alarming. Late-night drives from clubs were particularly difficult, as he routinely ignored traffic signals and speed limits, weaving through traffic with reckless abandon. One night, as we were rushing home after a clubbing excursion, he nearly collided with another vehicle at a red light. The heart-pounding fear and the realization of our near-death experience were a wake-up call. That night, I vowed to never again compromise my safety or the safety of others by tolerating such irresponsible driving.

These experiences have profoundly shaped my perspective on road safety. I have witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of reckless driving and the importance of responsible choices behind the wheel. These lessons have instilled in me a deep sense of empathy for victims of car accidents and a strong desire to promote safer roads.

As I stated earlier in this essay, I believe the above-mentioned steps can help drivers to be better, driver safer which will go a long way to help others become safer on the road. I will attend periodic road education safety programs which will keep me up to date on current road safety developments, I will not drive drunk, I will not drive faulty cars on the road and I will take much-needed rest before setting off on a long journey. I believe these small steps can ensure my safety and the safety of others on the road.