The Starry-Eyed Lesson

Being behind the wheel is a dream for every kid, and for this kid in particular it was her senior year of high school when she got her license. It was a new beginning, for this particular kid it seemed less about driving, and more about the freedom that came about. However, sometimes freedom has a cost.

As mentioned above, I was the starry-eyed kid who was ecstatic to learn how to drive, I mean what kid when they’re old enough isn’t. The feeling of starting to drive is comparable to a coming-of-age movie where the parents finally acknowledge that the kid is growing up. The wheel is one part of the experience, but the freedom and flexibility that comes along with it is arguably the best part. But what I noticed is that drivers on the road adopt this “my way or the highway,” mentality; where the exchange is the threat of life.

The scariest part of driving is when you are behind the wheel, as the driver you are a part of a greater cycle that includes the car in front of you, the car behind you, the car to the side of you, the cars that are turning left and right, and even parked cars that are filled with people and drivers alike. The result of this cycle are certain rules, these rules include the speed limit, lane rules, and more that are supposed to cultivate a safe driving culture. The rules in place are only one part of safety, the other part is, us, as drivers actively choosing to follow and understand them.

In a society that craves for efficiency and quickness, the reality is when we are driving we are unfocused. Something is taking our attention, whether that is the loud music blaring in the car or a text that we have to send. These things take our focus away and cause us to want to get to our destination faster. Sometimes it isn’t efficient to drive forty miles when you are late for work, school, or wherever it is you are going.

Our lack of focus and understanding of driving has created issues, it has caused dangers, and consequently has produced accidents, which has unfortunately led to the death of life.

But what’s the solution? If the issue is how unsafe we are driving, how can we fix this?

The reality is there is not one solution that fits all answers, this issue is complex and lies in the hands of the driver themselves when they get behind the wheel.

So, to make changes we must address the root, which is the individual whose life becomes a part of a greater traffic system when they get behind the wheel. It is imperative that our driving education matches what rising adolescents are experiencing. Driver education must be taken seriously, it is important to have certified teachers informing individuals on the rules and missed technicalities of driving. I want to ask this question; you wouldn’t have an uncertified teacher teach science? Or math? Or history? It should not be different for Driver’s education. This begins by making driver education more accessible. In my experience I was taught by my parents because for us paying $350 for a driver’s course was not practical. And although I would say that I practice safe driving, my cousin recently finished her driving ed course and she feels ten times more comfortable behind the wheel then I did when I started to practice.

This is because within the courses she was taught lessons beyond the book, and the Drivers ed course forced her to be accountable if she wanted to pass the class. I believe that if Driver’s education became more streamlined and more accessible more individuals would choose to take it and become more confident and safer when starting out. Also, having a more accessible educational program will allow for continuing education. With the rise of electronic and automated vehicles it is important that we do not falter on the rules and that the next generation of drivers know and understand the rules, and drivers’ education must catch up to these massive changes.

Continuing education will keep individuals accountable for how they are driving on the roads, because the goal is to nurture a safe driving culture all the way down to the root.

My senior year I ran my car into another car in a parking lot, I was trying to make a turn. I momentarily lost my focus and pressed way too hard on the gas. No one got hurt, and the cars ended up being fine, however this experience was within a month of getting a driver’s license. The intense emotions I felt afterwards discouraged me from getting on the road.

However, with a support system behind me I was able to process and heal. Being back on the road I firmly believe that being behind the wheel is a choice, and making safe decisions is another choice. In our culture, we cannot substitute efficiency at the cost of safety, and the root of this issue is how we teach and converse about safety to incoming drivers.

Having a younger brother who just started driving was scary, however, I believe that with the way he was taught, he understands the reward, and even risks being a driver.

What steps can I take to become a better driver? The first step has to always be choosing to be a safe driver, and cultivating within myself safe driving. Then I can understand the rules of the road and the beautiful traffic system.