Road Rules & Real Talk

Imagine being a 15-year-old who just got a permit with no driving experience. Many inexperienced drivers are on our roads, putting others at risk and making driving unsafe. Last week, I witnessed a truck screech to a halt at a crosswalk, running a red light. When I glanced at the driver, I saw a young teenager on his phone, possibly texting and not paying attention to the road. I felt lucky that he was not behind us, as he could have rear-ended me.

Drivers ed is critical for all drivers to receive. Why? Thinking about that young driver in that truck solidifies my belief that everyone must go through driver education. Driver education teaches young drivers to stay attentive on the road and to their surroundings and to keep them from being distracted by someone or something. It teaches student drivers to pay attention to speed limits, lane usage, and proper signage, which minimizes the chance of collisions. Additionally, driver education covers techniques such as anticipating potential hazards, maintaining an appropriate distance between vehicles, and scanning the mirrors for any risk-taking driver approaching from the rear. Furthermore, it also highlights the dangers of driving while intoxicated or fatigued, encouraging drivers to be cautious and responsible.

I was driving to Target with my mom when we noticed a lady beside us applying her makeup at a red light. What a bad example for our young female drivers! Steps that could prevent deaths include not putting any makeup on during a red light, as you could miss the light turning green or get rear-ended by a distracted driver. It is also crucial to pay attention to every traffic sign, including the speed limit, railroad crossings, stop signs, yield signs, etc. Keeping the music at a reasonable volume is important too, so you can hear emergency sirens or oncoming trains. Always pay attention to all of the driver’s behaviors around you so that you can anticipate whether or not they will do something. For example, last week, there was an SUV speeding down the lane next to me while all of the other drivers were going the speed limit, and because he was the only one speeding, I knew that he would try to go to my lane, so I slowed down a little bit so I could give him room to switch lanes safely. Drivers need to stay sober for the best decision-making they can possibly make.

One of my family members frequently drives me around, but sometimes he drives when he is tired. Driving while fatigued is just as dangerous as driving under the influence because it impairs your focus and attention. For instance, when you drive with an unfocused mind, your vision can blur, and even when you yawn, you might close your eyes for a split second, which could be enough time to cause an accident. Some of my friends tend to speed up to try and beat out every yellow light they see, disregarding the chance that the light might turn red before they cross. Recently, I was in the car with my friend, and as we approached an intersection, the light turned yellow about a little more than half a block away from the intersection. My friend decided to speed up to beat the yellow light, and just before we crossed the crosswalk, the light turned red, and the cross-traffic cars started to accelerate. Luckily, we crossed the intersection safely without anyone hitting us, even though it came pretty close for someone to hit us. I was so anxious that I hung onto the handle with my eyes closed, hoping nobody would hit us. My friend said while laughing, “Dude, why does your face look like that? You know I was going to make it 100%!” In my mind, I was like, “No, you were not.”

To be a better driver, I need to listen to my body. Listening to my body means if I am tired after a long day, I should not drive. For example, if I were at an exhausting sports practice and unable to focus, I would ask a friend to take me home. I can also ensure that my vehicle is in good working condition to minimize the risk of breakdowns on the road. I need to ensure that everyone is buckled up before I start driving. I must avoid distractions by putting all my devices away. (Phones, Air pods, Computers, etc.) I can also take the initiative to help others become safer on the road by being a good role model so others notice and start doing the same. Leading by example is crucial; when people see me driving safely, they are more likely to follow my safe driving habits. If I notice someone giving me a ride who is engaging in risky behavior, I should calmly point out the dangers of what they are doing. I can help spread awareness and encourage safer driving practices by sharing my knowledge. Always drive as safely as possible because, in doing so, you can influence others to adopt safer habits and prevent or reduce the number of deaths on our roads.