The Road Everyone Takes

The past weekend, I took the permit test and earned my learner’s permit, and my dad took me to a local park to practice driving. I learned all of the buttons on our car and how to park efficiently and correctly. After we were done practicing, my dad drove us home. On the way back, there was a four-way stop sign, and my dad graciously let someone who got there after him go as they seemed to be in a hurry. The person put up their hand thanking him but took their eyes off the road and hit the car next to us head-on.

All the excitement I had about getting behind the wheel gave way to a new awareness: driving isn’t about knowing all the cool features of a car or about steering with one hand; it is really about being attentive and vigilant for the entirety of the time you are behind the wheel. The image of the crumpled cars and the shaken-up drivers stepping out stuck with me for weeks, and the next time my dad took me out to drive, he noticed and offered his help. He emphasized that driving is just as much about you being the driver as it is about those around you. After a year passed and I got behind the wheel of a car alone, my dad reminded me again, “You can do everything right, but you must be ready for those around you as well.”

This experience taught me how crucial driver education is for everyone on the road, from teens to adults. Whether someone has been behind the wheel for twenty years or just a couple of months, it is vital to brush up on the rules of driving constantly. I shared this thought with everyone and was surprised to see many people agreeing. My psychology teacher agreed and further suggested that people should re-take driver tests yearly based on fundamental psychological principles.

I was motivated to take action, so I did my part, reminding those around me about safe driving habits when I was in the car with them. I highlighted the fact that driving shouldn’t be treated as a leisurely activity that could be ignored but something with high risk that requires precision and skill.

After witnessing accidents while an accident firsthand while being behind the wheel, I learned yet another driving lesson: awareness of those around you while in a car is just as important as driving safely and conservatively. Regular retraining and driver’s education courses, especially for middle-aged and more experienced drivers, can significantly halt the amount driving-related deaths. My parents said that when they went through rules a while teaching me how to drive, they realized they had forgotten to do certain things on the road themselves. This goes to show the profound impact a simple refresher can have on someone’s overall driving. Advocating for more funds to experiment with advanced car safety technology and policymaking for higher consequences can further contribute to safer driving. The goal for everyone on the road should be to prioritize the safety of those around them as well as their safety.

Ever since my first experience on the road, I have become increasingly conscientious while driving. I check my rearview and side mirrors more often and maintain a two-car distance between myself and the car in front of me. I have also learned the importance of keeping calm and thinking cautiously in stressful situations. For example, if I miss a turn, I simply pull into the next parking lot I see and either set my GPS or calmly turn back rather than panicking and trying to brake. To improve my skills even more, I can cut down on music and set GPS routes before driving to limit distractions. As I received my six-month/yearly license, which allows me to drive one to two people, I have understood that my actions directly impact people other than myself and that being properly educated on the rules becomes ever so important.

As I gain more experience, it has become evident that most driving deaths occur due to negligence and inattentiveness while on the road. Frequent education, such as weekly assemblies in secondary schools, colleges, and workplaces, can avoid most deaths. Working with local lawmakers and law enforcers to emphasize penalties and consequences for unsafe driving can encourage reckless drivers to rethink their actions before putting themselves and others in harm’s way. I always keep responsibility and vigilance regarding driving as my utmost priority when driving on highways or any other time. By emphasizing education and unity to keep roads safe for the driving community, deaths can be avoided on roads for years to come.