Reckless Driving

Reckless Driving

By Konsuela Semchuk

Education brings awareness and provides the tools for soon-to-be drivers. Some of these tools include memorizing laws, assessing situations, and being able to react accordingly. The material presented to students ensures their exposure to safety protocols and increases the likelihood of retaining important information. Being prepared for any situation helps the student know how to react and avoid panicking. The knowledge students gain from the course adds reassurance and confidence.

Although the Driver’s Education course reduces the number of deaths associated with driving, the next major step is teaching self-discipline. Distracted and reckless driving are the leading causes of accidents. By implementing self-discipline into the course, drivers will have more control over themselves and the road; therefore, by increasing the number of students with self-discipline, the number of deaths related to driving will decrease. Many distracted driving incidents occur from the driver eating, texting, or playing on their phone. Self-discipline reduces the number of people feeling the need to do other tasks while driving.

Everyone has experienced a reckless driver, whether it be of friends or family or maybe on the road with a stranger in a different car. One of my scariest incidents involved a family member. My sister, the family member, and I were driving down the interstate as a fork in the road was coming up. It was around three in the morning; my older sister was trying to read the directions as the family member drove. He was aiming straight at the split, not putting the car in either of the pathways. My sister was fumbling with the GPS as I looked on from the backseat. After some arguing and nearly hitting the edge, he turned the truck sharply. The vehicle was going around seventy mph; if the driver had hesitated a second longer, I could assure you, I would not be standing here today.

This memory is one of several that I have when it comes to a reckless driver. As a new driver myself, I make sure to drive the speed limit, be predictable for other drivers, and pay attention. If I miss an exit, I make sure to go to the next exit or turn around safely. There is always another way to get to the destination, and risking lives is not worth potentially arriving on time. Many things can be replaced, but people are not replaceable. When I am a passenger, I make sure to allow the driver to maintain their focus, text for them, and make sure I know where we are going. Encouraging others to be safe and recognizing the consequences of reckless driving, is one of the best things I can do. Since all habits have a foundation, it is best to start a driver off with rewards. With that in mind, I make sure to praise well-made decisions and ask about any questionable choices. By hearing the driver’s point of view and providing an alternative action, the driver has another way to react to the situation. After repeating this process, their initial reaction has curved and made their driving just a little bit safer.