Driving: The Most Volatile Experiment of All

When I initially started my Driver’s Ed, my friends quickly told me how useless and slow the process would be, and that I should skip through it as fast as possible. And of course, I tried, but the program would only go so fast, to meet the minimum time requirements. Like most kids my age, I felt the real learning would only begin after I started behind-the-wheel training. So, like most kids my age, I thought it acceptable to overlook the Driver’s Ed course. And why not? Driving couldn’t be learned by reading any number of texts or viewing any number of videos demonstrating the technique. Driving is a skill gained by white-knuckling the steering wheel on the first ride and slamming on what you hope is the brake pedal. Along with overlooking my Driver’s Ed, I failed to recognize that it takes time for the brain to absorb new information.

Even though about 92% of the United States population owns a vehicle, leading one to believe that driving should have evolved to be remarkably safe, traveling by car is the second most dangerous commute, second only to motorcycles. This, though I couldn’t tell at the time, is where the worth of Driver’s Ed lies. Studies have shown that frequent exposure to information, a little at a time, strengthens neural pathways. According to Ohio State University, “We found that simply being exposed to them makes an impression in our mind and leads us to be ready to learn about them later.” Therefore, drivers education plays a far more crucial role in learning than most people realize. By prepping your brain for the new experiences driving will provide, new drivers can maximize their education, become more skilled and safer drivers, and reduce the number of driving-related deaths. But, aside from the learning component, the increasing presence of new car technology puts new drivers in danger of becoming too reliant instead of developing vigilance and skill. While some features, such as forward collision warning and blind spot detection, are useful in alerting the driver, automatic braking and steering could prove fatal if they malfunction or misjudge a situation. In an emergency where technology meets its limits, it is paramount that a driver possess enough knowledge to react in a way that puts them least at risk, or even saves their life. Driver’s Ed doesn’t teach a person how to drive so much as it teaches them how to think about it, with lessons that train a person to look out for certain things on the road, via simulation, and strategies to gauge various circumstances. All cars have their limits concerning the safety of their passengers, and it’s ultimately up to the driver to make the executive decisions that bring them home.

The most common kind of collision is rear-end collision: when one vehicle crashes into the vehicle in front of it, as a result of not seeing the car in front, being distracted, and failing to break at a stop sign or red light. In short, when one person stopped, but another didn’t. It’s not enough that some people follow the rules. Everyone needs to strive to be a responsible driver, otherwise, even those who are not at fault pay the price. This means that one of the best ways to reduce the number of deaths on the road is by getting all new drivers to understand how their driving impacts them and everyone else on the road. However, in this day and age, where everyone lives at breakneck speed and must show up on time no matter what, it’s no wonder that people use the phrase “I’m going to be late,” as an excuse to drive recklessly and bend the rules. Our society doesn’t consider traffic or unideal road conditions a good enough rationale for being late and using this explanation is often frowned upon. As a result, when traffic hits, people will do anything to reach their destination on time, leading to unsafe practices like speeding, quickly switching lanes and overtaking, and not stopping at stop signs. If society were to destigmatize being a little late, there would be fewer high-strung drivers, less road rage, and more awareness that driving is dangerous and cannot be rushed. Drivers could spend less energy thinking about their lateness and more focusing on the road.

My most jarring experience was during a seemingly harmless trip. My family and I took a road trip to Sedona, Arizona. After staying there for a few days we planned to drive to Flagstaff. It was November and temperatures were just above freezing in Sedona. On the way to Flagstaff, it had begun to snow; we were so mesmerized by the breathtaking view that we barely noticed the car sliding. Rather than a lurch back to reality, it felt like a subtle sense of discomfort that morphed into fear once the car spun entirely out of control. We swiveled off the road and drove right over a sharp, jagged rock. Reeling, we stepped out to see that the rock had wrecked the front and bottom of our car. Waiting for roadside assistance was miserable and took forever, especially standing out in the freezing snow. The accident caused us to stay back one more day in Arizona. We neglected having snow chains and it cost us dearly. It cost us our vacation, our time, money, and our car. I saw how quickly things went wrong when the dangers of icy roads were not taken seriously. I saw how dangerous it is to underestimate driving in any condition.

It’s well known that adhering to the rules and avoiding reckless or irresponsible driving makes for a safer driver. While it is crucial to follow the rules, at least to a bare minimum, it is much better to drive thoughtfully and strategically. It is my personal goal to learn how to drive defensively, gauge road and traffic conditions, and make calculated choices based on what I see and what I can anticipate from other drivers. I will advocate defensive driving and safe habits to my friends and family, and call out irresponsibility when I see it. Driving is not just a matter of muscle memory; it’s as volatile as mentos and soda and should be met with corresponding approaches.