Three Musts

As I am writing this essay, I have become comfortable with driving home from school. When I was sixteen, I got my learner’s permit and learned the basics with my father. The first thing he told me to do was not to panic. Panicking while driving leads to a catastrophe. This saying from my father allowed me to become a safe driver. No phones, no passengers. Just. Driving. Panic can be sudden. Panic can be overpowering. Panic in the wrong areas can lead to disaster, so learning how to resolve your panic issues is important. Being situationally aware, erasing distractions, and knowing your limits will help me be a better and safer driver and help others.

It is common sense to keep your eyes on the road. It is common to check your blind spots. But being situationally aware is different. Be aware of your surroundings and what is around you. Even if you are in an area where the road is calm, expect the unexpected. You can expect something as bizarre as a moose blocking the street. However, it is important to know where you are at, and, if possible, find out what to expect. For example, your father told you that the road to his house has a section where deer are common, so you know what to expect. Being situationally aware allows you to make rapid-fire decisions. If a blockade is approaching, assess the area and find a way forward (or backwards). There are countless examples of why being situationally aware makes you a safe driver, but what about for those who share the road? If a driver decides to make an illegal maneuver, be prepared to act so that both drivers do not end up injured. A driver may need to slow down or speed up depending on the situation.

One over talked yet overlooked factor regarding driving is distractions. Distractions such as phones, passengers, and food. I have seen too many instances where a driver has their phone in one hand. In some cases, there is a child in the backseat. You cannot put your own child at risk. When I am driving, I put my phone away. I put it out of sight, and out of my reach. When I order food through a drive-through, I either eat it right after or wait until I get home. Another way to reduce distractions, although it is situational, is to reduce the number of passengers. Believe me, I have seen groups of teens cram into one car. For me, having 5-6 friends in a car at once is too much, and it takes my attention off the road. All it takes is one mistake. Mistakes are ruthless in the driving world. To decrease distractions, I will drive with the people I trust; family and close friends. I will drive with friends who know the danger of taking the driver’s attention somewhere else.

When I first got on the main road, I felt fearless. I felt like I could drive from state to state! I was on top of the world! That all immediately shut down when I almost merged into a semi-truck. When I went back on the road, my mentality changed. I am still a new driver, and I know I have limits. I cannot force myself onto unfamiliar roads. I cannot force myself onto tall, scary, terrifying bridges. Driving can be sectioned off into steps and phases, the first phase being the second you turn on the engine. The second phase can be learning how to accelerate, how to brake, how to turn, all the basics. These “phases” helped me know when I am doing something out of my skill level. I am at the phase where I am confident enough to drive on routes. However, my next step will be to get on an interstate and conquer the highway. My father told me, “The next step from the route is the highway.” To ensure that I become a confident, calm driver, I take driving step by step, mastering whatever phase I am at before moving to the next.

At the time of me writing this, I am still a new driver. I have not taken my driver’s test yet, but my father thinks I am ready to ace it. I am prepared to become a safe driver with my ability to know what is always going on, limit any possible distractions to ensure safety, and know where things can get uncomfortable. These are my three musts; I must learn to become a safe driver.