Name: Ross Sawilowsky
From: BALTIMORE, MD
Votes: 0
As
a child, I vividly remember pressing my face against the backseat
window and watching the passing blur of trees, cars, and bicycles.
Back then, I barely understood the concept of time or speed. However,
as a new driver, I can no longer be that child in the passenger seat
with the glazed-over eyes. Now, I am held accountable for the lives
of those inside and outside my vehicle. As young people mature into
teenagers, they are faced with newfound freedom—but with that
freedom comes responsibility.
Many
young drivers have a tendency to drive above the speed limit.
Although it is effortless to quickly accelerate, make no mistake—cars
are heavy pieces of machinery that can become deadly if operated
irresponsibly.
In
the state of Maryland, prospective drivers are required to attend
Drivers ed, which raises awareness of the risks that naturally
come along with driving. If teenagers did not attend Driver
Education, they would likely be unaware that one does not have to be
traveling at a very high speed to accidentally kill a pedestrian. For
example, if a car is traveling 40 miles per hour and strikes a
person, that pedestrian has only a 20% chance of survival. But, if
struck by that same car traveling at only 20 miles per hour, the
chance of survival increases to 90%1.
Another
crucial aspect of being a responsible driver is making sure you have
an adequate amount of rest before getting on the road. Once, I was a
passenger in a car driven by a driver who was falling asleep at the
wheel. Luckily, we arrived at our destination, but during that ride,
I feared for my life. Being well-rested aids a driver’s ability to
assess risks and react accordingly, not to mention stay in the proper
lane. It is advised for a driver to take breaks when traveling long
distances. Switch drivers, if possible. According to the National
Sleep Foundation, “Being awake for 18 hours straight makes you
drive like you have a blood-alcohol level of .05 (for reference, .08
is considered drunk).”2
Sleep on that
fact.
Or, actually, don’t—not
while you’re driving.
Responsible
driving also means being fully aware of one’s environment.
Therefore, use medications responsibly and refrain from driving while
under the influence of drugs or alcohol. To minimize distractions,
keep the radio volume on low, with your phone out of reach and on the
silent setting.
Of
course, drivers are not the only ones who need to think about safety.
As a pedestrian, it is also vital to be aware of your surroundings.
For example, do not run into the street or crosswalk, assuming that a
driver will see you and stop.
If
you are a parent, be sure to teach your children the proper
precautions to take when crossing the street, such as, holding hands
and crossing at the crosswalk. Following these precautions can help
keep your children safe. Not following them can result in children
remaining unseen by drivers, until it is too late.
When
the time comes, properly instruct your teenage driver. Be patient,
emphasize safety first, and remember—your teenager is looking to
you for an example of what it means to be a safe driver.
