Hands on that wheel, Eyes on that road

Hands on that wheel, Eyes on that road

Driver’s Ed, foe or friend? Definitely a friend. Driver’s Ed teaches many vital and important skills. It teaches safety, care for vehicles, and most importantly it teaches the principal of caring for the others driving on the road. The most paramount part of Driver’s Ed is when the students learn that they need to care for the other people on the road, that all they are learning, all they are hearing, or seeing, is information or caution to keep other people safe. Teaching this lets the students know that the skill of driving is not to be taken lightly, every person’s life is important, and that if they will drive to protect others, it can prevent deaths from car accidents.

Some action we can take to prevent deaths in car accidents is by having the students have more specialized drivers ed courses, and a heavier mix of hands on driving. This can help prepare students for their future driving needs because they get more experience. More experience helps drivers feel safer and more willing to brave the open road with others. When students are prepared they are cautious, when they are cautious they are ready to drive on their own with confidence and the ability to stay a defensive driver. A confident driver that takes control is one that is acknowledging the lives around them and making sure everyone feels safe.

I personally know the importance of driving safely, about a year after I received my license I was on my way to a cafe. I was meeting up with a friend to work on an important school project. I was in a busy parking lot when a car rammed into my driver’s side door. The car kept driving and scraping my car until the whole left side of the car had a wide gash. Shock was all over my face as I tried to safely pull into an empty parking space, that is when the tears started flowing. My friend was in the car behind me and she tried to console me. After that car hit mine they kept driving. It was a hit and run and I will never forget the sound as their car hit me.

After that accident it was hard for me to continue to feel safe while driving. I can’t listen to music while in parking lots, I can’t turn in parking lots without an excess of caution, and I can’t park next to a car without being worried. That day has always stayed with me and in all honesty has made me realize the importance of caring for other drivers while on the road. Some steps I can take to continue my driving skills is to become more confident behind the wheel. Like I said earlier, a confident driver is a defensive/ cautious driver.

Some key words of advice I would like to leave with you are quoted from Eddie Farrell, Con man in the film Opportunity Knocks. “Hands on that wheel, Eyes on that road. Wheels. Road.”