Beware of The Road

Sophie Okoma

Nov. 27, 2020

Beware of The Road

As a newly licensed driver, I can tell you first hand how big of an impact drivers education had on me. From the three hour sessions a day for two consecutive weeks to the daily assessment of our knowledge after each class. Fortunately, due to the blessing and privilege of drivers education, i was able to realize that being able to handle a vehicle isn’t something to joke around with. You should always be paying attention no matter the circumstance. As well as the fact that you’re in control of your vehicle and always on the defensive end. It’s a serious matter that could potentially end someone’s life. The importance of driver’s ed in reducing the number of deaths is simple. If more people had access to driver’s education, or all states mandated people to take a driver’s ed class, there would be more safe drivers on the road. When taking a driver’s ed course, you are exposed to new information about the rules and regulations of the road that you may not have known in the past. For example, when I was in driver’s education, I didn’t know that when merging on a highway, you had to be going the same speed as the rest of the cars, because if not, you could get into a serious accident. Just that piece of information alone changed the way I viewed driving. Because if I’m being honest, I was scared to drive. I knew all the things that could go wrong, but when I took driver’s ed, I became more comfortable in my skills and behind a wheel.

When you hear tragic accidents related to driving, you tend to wonder ‘Why aren’t there enough regulations or steps?’ But in fact, there are numerous steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths due to driving. The first step would be to make sure to get enough practice before you are licensed. This is to make sure that you are as comfortable as possible behind the wheel so you know how to handle yourself in certain situations. Another step that can be taken is to avoid distractions while driving. Some distractions could include texting while driving, or holding a device in your hand while driving. Although states have a “No Texting and Driving” policy, a lot of people still do text and drive, and sadly the loss of life is the result of it. The final step that I feel should be taken to prevent fewer deaths due to driving is simply following traffic laws. Some people feel as though when they get to a stop sign and see no one, they don’t need to stop. They may not realize that by them not obeying traffic laws, they can hit someone who is traveling the opposite way. Another popular traffic law that some people tend to disobey is red lights. Whether it may be them trying to increase their speed so that they can make it, or just getting impatient and driving through it. Those are both very dangerous actions that can also result in unnecessary death.

Unfortunately, I’ve had the experience of being in a car accident. When I was younger, my mom was driving with my sister and I in the backseat, and the light was green so she went. The person on the opposite side was turning full speed and crashed into us, hitting my mom and sister’s side. My mom later found out that the person was texting and driving and wasn’t paying any attention. I’m so grateful every day that my mom and sister were okay and they had no major injuries at all. Every time I get in a car I remember how important it is to always make sure I’m not distracted because my actions could negatively impact someone else and their family. Some steps that I make sure to take when I’m in the car with others to make sure they’re being safe is that whenever they’re unnecessarily speeding, I ask them to slow down. Another step that I take is to make sure that if they need to do anything on their phone, I do it for them so they have no reason to be distracted from the road. A final step that can be taken to help someone drive safer is pointing out important traffic laws that they may have missed while driving. For example, if they’re driving on a highway and the speed limit is 65, you want to point out any speed changes if they drive to a more residential area. To conclude, safe driving is very important no matter who you are. It’s important to get a basic foundation and understanding of the road and its rules before you attempt to become licensed. Always remember to cut out distractions, and pay attention to traffic laws. Driving should never be that difficult as long as you remember to stay in control and beware of your surroundings.