In The Driver’s Seat

In The Driver’s Seat

Driver’s education is important in teaching teens and beginner drivers the basic skills of driving. It teaches you how to operate your vehicle as well as gives you knowledge about maintenance, insurance, traffic signs, signals and different legal maneuvers. It gives you confidence, teaches you responsibility, and allows you to have multiple views of driving. The education you are given teaches you how to handle different situations that could include: bad weather, wrecks that you come upon or even cars that are pulled over on the side of the road. Knowing how to properly handle and operate your vehicle is the first step in reducing the number of accidents and potential deaths in driving.

As a community, we need to make it more known that being aware of your surroundings and having all your faculties about you while driving is the number one priority. We need to make sure that drivers aren’t distracted because of their phones, friends or driving while impaired. We should be more assessable to our family and friends when they need help getting somewhere if they are unable to drive. Some of our senior community is unable to drive but will potentially try to if they are unable to find someone to take them to a doctor appointment or even to the grocery store for necessitates. We should have more hands free options for our cellphones. Using a Bluetooth to connect from your car to your phone can greatly reduce the amount of time your eyes are off the road to make a call or check a message. Also, you can let your friends know you want to arrive to your destination in one piece so they need to sit in the seat with their seat belt on and there will be no yelling, screaming or excessively loud music.

I have never personally been in a car accident but I have lost a friend to one. Every time I drive by the scene of the accident I remember her smile and laugh. I remember how she loved to dance and sing and how she had her whole future ahead of her. I remember her sisters, brothers and parents. I remember all the pain that was felt on that day. A life lost way too soon. It was an accident plain and simple. Her grandmother was driving the car and had a stroke. My friend was in the back seat with no seat belt on and when they drove into oncoming traffic they were T-boned. Knowing how fast life can be took away helps me to be a better driver.

Check all your mirrors, make sure your seat is in a comfortable position for you to see and reach the wheel and pedals, put your seat belt on and check that your phone is in driver’s mode before putting the car in gear. Make sure your surrounding are clear of all obstacles before touching the gas pedal. Don’t hang anything from your rearview mirror or put things in the back window that could potentially block your view. Make sure that you are aware of all weather and road conditions and you are prepared to complete your journey. Drive the speed limit and don’t get mad at other drivers. Keep watch for pedestrians and bicyclists. Always double check before pulling out. Be patient, be kind.