Drivers Education

In the Driver’s Seat:

I’m at a stoplight, and it’s taking forever. Tapping my fingers against the wheel, I sneak a look at my phone to see if my friend texted me back yet. A car honks behind me, and I realize the light is green, so I push on the gas. I’m still thinking about what my friend said and trying to text her back when it happens. I don’t see the car in front of me slowing to a stop. All I hear is the crunch of metal, and then darkness. Such is an example of one of the many consequences of distracted driving. Did the narrator know the dangers of distracted driving? Did her driving class teach her about safe driving? What if it hadn’t, and the knowledge could have saved her life? When it comes to driving, education is key. The knowledge of how to follow traffic rules and how important it is to pay attention can save lives.

Besides the general information about driving, there are steps that can be taken personally and as a nation to help reduce the number of deaths related to driving. Here are a few steps that I have found helpful to protect me and others around me while driving: a) Take your time. I am more likely to make mistakes when I’m in a rush, so it is beneficial to leave early when I am going somewhere. Even just taking a deep breath before leaving helps remind me that it is better I get someplace late than not get there at all. b) Turn phone on silent and keep it away. I do not text while driving, and I avoid making calls unless it is absolutely necessary. An easy way to avoid the temptation of looking at your phone is to put it in a bag or purse during the drive.

As a nation, I believe that by enforcing rules against texting while driving and driving under the influence can reduce the number of deaths related to driving. Overall, the biggest factor is education. Unfortunately, not everybody will care about safe driving, but by making this information available to everyone, we can provide them with the opportunity to become safe drivers.

Although I have not personally been in a car accident or seen my family members drive irresponsibly, my dad has been a great role model to me. He has taught me to be a safe driver and know how to handle emergencies. However, there is always room for improvement. A few steps I can take to become a safer driver are: a) Do not follow cars too closely. This is something I often forget, but it is important to give other drivers their space so that you have time to react in case they slam on their brakes. b) Limit distractions. I sometimes find it hard to talk while driving, and that is an indication that I am too distracted.

I have learned just how serious fatalities related to driving are. There is nothing funny about driving, and as citizens it is our responsibility to not only watch out for ourselves but also for the other citizens on the road. Education is key to reducing deaths, and so is spreading awareness about the consequences of unsafe driving.