Carefully Behind the Wheel

Carefully Behind the Wheel

Beginning driving at a young age can be intimidating for some, while not as much for others. In particularly younger individuals, some tend to be more reckless as their perception of risk or consequences for their actions are muted out by the “this will never happen to me” mentality, or the “invincibility complex.” According to CDC, the risk of a vehicular crash is highest among teens between the ages of 16 and 19. This can be due to many factors. There is a certain level of responsibility that comes with growing older, which makes sense that older drivers may be more competent. With age comes more experience, this experience usually makes a better driver.

In 2015, a study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that driver’s education significantly reduced crashes and traffic violations among new drivers. Driver’s education is especially important for new drivers and even for experienced drivers as there are always new concepts to learn. This would help to reduce the number of accidents on the road as it would teach drivers to recognize risk, and how to cautiously handle these situations. This would be particularly important for reducing the amount of deaths arising from vehicular accidents. Minimizing risk is a key to remaining safe on the road and responsible decisions must be made. Driver’s education teaches the importance of being aware of surroundings, paying attention to traffic symbols and signs, traffic lights, etc. which are all important for being safe on the road. It also teaches about following the speed limit, not driving under the influence, wearing a seatbelt and other important guidelines that are put in place for safety. Additionally, driver’s education brings about a level of confidence while driving, as being an unsure driver can be hazardous on the road. This confidence will aid in limiting panic or anxiety on the road.

It is common to begin driving between the ages of 16 and 19, and during the process of learning is when the risk of accidents and mistakes are particularly high. During the process of getting a driver’s permit, drivers are equipped with a reasonable amount of knowledge and practice to be able to handle the road. However, only so much can be taught within that time period. Some lessons can only be learnt through experience. It would be best for the newly licensed driver to continue learning through other courses on driving, and through practice. There is a saying that, “prevention is better than cure,” which is very true in this regard. It is important to be equipped with as much knowledge as possible and put it into practice.

To reduce the number of deaths related to driving on the road, drivers needs to recognize the seriousness of being on the road. This would require drivers to abide by all driving laws and regulations, and all guidelines issued. Drivers need to know to only use their phone in emergencies, always pay attention to the weather forecast, do not drive when your mood may affect your judgement, do not argue while driving, do not drive if sleepy, and many more tips of this nature. It is important for those with anger issues that are triggered while driving to seek anger management exercises or classes. Another step would be to always be accompanied by a competent driver until a person can feel comfortable driving and encourage feedback to make improvements. It would be helpful to avoid driving at night or during certain weather events if possible. All drivers should consider taking a defensive driving course or other driving courses that would include simulations and other technological resources to show a real life situation for drivers to gain experience. It would be beneficial to take refresher courses or update knowledge every few years. It is important to note that vehicular accidents can occur due to attitude and immaturity, not because of a lack of skills or knowledge. Therefore, it is critical for young drivers especially, to make commitment to have a responsible attitude before getting their license. An additional step drivers can take is to invest in protective accessories, car safety features, and other gadgets to decrease the risk of them getting seriously hurt during an accident.

11 years ago, my father and I ran off the road as he was going around a bend on the road. Thankfully, our injuries were very minor but if my dad started to panic, the outcome may have been worse. The vehicle picked up a skid on the roadway which led the vehicle off the road and into a few bushes at the side of the road. It was a very scary experience but I still remember how well my father handled it even though I could have seen how scared he was. I cannot say that my father was driving irresponsibly as he is one of the best drivers I know. This taught me about the seriousness of driving and the risks that are always present behind the wheel. I learned that anything can happen on the road, therefore it is important to always remain vigilant and say a prayer before driving.

I realized that the experience I had of running off the road has contributed to some of the anxiety I feel while learning to drive currently. In the future, I hope to become a better and safer driver. I would like to complete a defensive driving course and also seek advice from experienced drivers. To help with my anxiety, I need to practice driving more until I feel comfortable behind the wheel. I will also try calming exercises which will assist me in staying calm on the road. I would like to be accompanied by an experienced driver for my first year of driving. I can help others become safer on the road by sharing my knowledge, and suggesting driving resources and courses people can take to better equip them for driving. Helpful videos can also be forwarded to them. When I notice someone making careless mistakes while driving, I can tell them about it in a polite way, and this might very well prevent them from getting into an accident in the future. If someone is experiencing road rage while driving, I can help them to stay calm. Tips for driving can also be shared on social media for persons to view.

These small and yet effective strategies can help a person stay safe on the road, and can potentially help people prevent getting into accidents in the future. It is my hope that the road will become a safer place in the future once people take driving as serious as it should be taken, gain knowledge and continue being educated on the topic of driving, while incorporating practical experience.

References:

Newman, I., Shell, D. (2015). Study: Driver’s ed significantly reduces teen crashes, tickets. University

of Nebraska-Lincoln. Retrieved from https://newsroom.unl.edu/releases/2015/08/13/Study:+Driver%27s+ed+significantly+reduces+teen+crashes,+tickets

Teen Drivers: Get the Facts. (2021). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved

from https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/teen_drivers/teendrivers_factsheet.html