A Guide to Stepping into the Driver’s Seat

A
Guide to Stepping into the Driver’s Seat

Although
it has long been determined that drivers ed courses curb
the amount of inexperienced driver deaths, not many are aware of this
fact. Having taken a drivers ed course myself, I can
strongly attest to their usefulness in preparing young drivers for
the dangers of the road as well as creating mindful and responsible
licence holders. My drivers ed class met each Saturday and
Sunday for 3 hours at a time over a six week period; during these
lessons our instructor would address the importance of being informed
and aware of distracted driving issues that almost exclusively
affects teens. We would discuss how being under the influence would
hinder driving to how even having a pet in the passenger seat could
as well. As these lessons went on my fellow new drivers and I grew
more confident and prepared to best the dangers of the road. We were
informed on what to expect in regards to driving beside other
inexperienced teen drivers and what not to do–such as texting or
calling on your phone. I largely credit the fact that I have never
caused a crash to my drivers ed course, which has taught me
caution and attention while on the road.

In
my opinion, to be able to receive a permit, the prospective driver
must complete a drivers ed course, regardless of age. Time
and time again, these courses prove to be greatly beneficial in
reducing the number of crashes and traffic violations that plague
inexperienced drivers. The insight that these courses provide is
crucial to ultimately reducing the amount of deaths caused by
crashes. A recent study conducted by the University of Nebraska –
Lincoln found that, “Young drivers who have not completed driver’s
education are 75 percent more likely to get a traffic ticket, 24
percent more likely to be involved in a fatal or injury accident and
16 percent more likely to have an accident,” (Newman, et al.,
2015). Considering that an enormous amount of new drivers take to the
road each year across the United States, it would be worthwhile to
introduce this idea to state legislators. In addition to the possible
implementation of a mandatory drivers ed course, heightened
awareness about the effects of alcohol and drugs on the body’s
reaction time should be spread and advocated. When under the
influence and driving, the body’s reaction time can be slowed by up
to ten times what is optimal. This not only puts the driver at risk,
but other drivers sharing the road as well.

Recently,
while on my way to school, I was in my first real car accident. I was
approaching a four-way stop and naturally, I slowed to brake my car,
halting to rest a few feet behind the stop sign. Not a second later,
my car was plowed into by a black sporty BMW. My head flew forward
and nearly hit the steering wheel before I caught myself. After
calming down, I got out of the car to assess the damage to my car and
see if the other driver was alright. My car was totaled as was the
BMW, but both the other driver and I were unharmed. And contrary to
the situation, I was very grateful for the outcome. Although I have
not been in another car accident since this incident, I have seen
similar wrecks end much worse. Many car accidents where drinking and
texting are involved do not result in two perfectly unharmed drivers
but instead a trip in an ambulance. Unlike these situations, mine was
quite lucky in that the driver who hit me was not under the influence
of either alcohol or drugs, but simply hit his brakes too late. The
matter was resolved in a few weeks and I came out of the situation
with a new height of awareness on the road.

When
driving on the road, I hold two words in the back of my mind:
courtesy and awareness. I think that these two words, if applied to
the manner in which you drive, can greatly reduce the amount of
crashes and close-calls you would encounter. To be aware is to check
mirrors regularly, take notice of swerving drivers, and glance across
intersections for speeding drivers. It is not checking texts nor is
it daydreaming. Courtesy, on the other hand, is keeping in mind and
predicting the actions of other drivers. It is noticing those who are
trying to change lanes, merge onto the road you’re driving, or pass
you. Having courtesy on the road puts you in an amiable light as well
as keeps you safe from possibly reckless drivers. Practicing these
two words on the road as well as advocating for their central idea
can be beneficial to you as well as those around you.