That’ll Never Happen To Me!

Imagine this: a feeling of absolute terror as your car careens off the road because you lost control going too fast on the icy highway. Or perhaps you feel burning rage and devastation upon hearing that your loved one was stolen from you because of a reckless driver. Regarding car accidents, we often think, “that’ll never happen to me!” This feeling of invincibility often translates to carelessness, however. People forget about the responsibility of driving and the consequences of a car accident until they experience it directly. For the roads to be a safe place for all of us, we must work together to be safe drivers.

Driver education plays an essential role in promoting safe driving. It teaches the fundamentals of the road to incoming drivers, including aspects that parents may be ill-equipped to teach as they haven’t been in a formal driver education setting in so long. There’s a lot more to driving than just maneuvering a vehicle down a street; knowledge of rules and right of ways is also needed. The test at the end of driver education also protects those who are unprepared from being allowed to drive, decreasing the number of immature drivers on the roads. The next step, behind-the-wheel training, is also critical for teaching new drivers. Having a dedicated and knowledgeable instructor to teach you has different advantages than that of your parents. The teachers are also able to catch potentially bad habits that parents may miss. Without this learning process, driving would be even more dangerous. 

While driver education is essential for limiting the number of deaths caused by car accidents, it’s not enough based on the statistics. To reduce driving-related deaths, I believe that people should attend driver education classes throughout life. This would reinforce key points of driving, allowing everyone to stay up to date on rules and regulations, or introduce them to any new ones. For instance, my grandma participated in a driver education class for an insurance discount, and she acknowledged that she wasn’t aware of many of the rules and regulations she earned her license so long ago. I also believe that more time behind the wheel with an instructor would be beneficial. I only did six hours over three days, creating a shortened learning period. Requiring behind-the-wheel training to be done throughout the year a teenager has their permit would develop safer driving habits. 

Being a safer driver starts with each individual, so to be more responsible myself, I will remind myself of the importance of driving safely so that I can stay calm on the road. I think that remembering the responsibilities of driving is most crucial in reducing deaths, so I’d extend this reminder to others. Being a respectful passenger is also another way that I’d help my family and friends to be safe. My family and friends usually drive responsibly, and I haven’t been in an accident other than a few slip-ups on icy roads. This good fortune is something I’d like to keep. 

Though more regulations will seem like an inconvenience to many people, we must be more proactive about the perils of driving. Driving is a part of our everyday lives, and we must recognize the inherent responsibilities that come with it. Think of your loved ones to remind yourself. Perhaps with more action and initiative, the statement “that’ll never happen to me!” can be a true one in regard to car accidents.