The More You Know The Safer You Are

The More You Know the Safer You Are

By: Jessica Times

Friday rush hour in Los Angeles. Enough said. I must have had whiplash from the countless times we slammed on the breaks. “Just turn when the coast is clear” the driver told the girl driving as I sat in the back seat and silently prayed. The coast was clear and off we went, straight into the middle divider. Cars sped our way and I couldn’t help but scream in fear.

This tale from 10 years ago is something that I catch myself telling at dinner parties. Had the driving instructor not acted swiftly, neither of us students would have never had the chance to hit the road on our own. Maybe not the safest driving decision on anybody’s part for the time of day, but we survived. It is instances like these that drivers face constantly, and without the initial guidance of Driving Instructors, could pose severe consequences.

In the years since, I’ve made major decisions like deciding on a college and buying a car. Luckily, making these decisions did not result in life or death. Driving does not afford one the same leisure time to make valuable decisions, as many of these are made in a split second. Once cautious drivers relax their attention spans, attempting to multitask when they get the opportunity. Although I still remember to check my mirrors and ease into traffic as my instructor taught me, I’d be lying if I said I occasionally sneak a peek at an incoming text. Whether checking the mirrors or checking a text, both are made in an instant.

To make the road a safer place, it must be reiterated that an ongoing flood of decisions could decide one’s fate. The repetition of assess and evaluate can be overwhelming, but one must ask himself, “Would I rather have a headache or be in a casket?”

An example of decision making on the road that I am not proud of is getting into a car with an intoxicated relative. We swerved and sped, but we both made potentially catastrophic decisions that night. She made the decision to drive, while I made the decision to stay silent and ride in the car next to her. It is a regret on both of our parts, but vowed to never repeat those actions.

As I pondered how to make the road a better place, I thought of the obvious “keep your eyes on the road” and “don’t text” tips which I’m sure everybody else describes. But in reality, safe driving and lower deaths are only achieved with knowledge. We must know the rules and consequences of our actions, realizing that every single decision could affect ours and others’ lives. We must acknowledge our made mistakes and understand the importance of abiding by safety laws and the more we know the safer we will be. Just as every decision is made in life, operating a vehicle presents real life scenarios that a Driving Instructor will not be there to help guide one through.