Just a Few Seconds

Pre-driving check. Left, Right, Left. Penny test. These are just a few examples of the procedures I learned in my Driver’s Education Program. The Pre-driving Check limits the possibility of being blindsided, distracted, or breaking down mid-commute. It only takes a few minutes to check your surroundings, check your mentality, and secure yourself, and, therefore, ensure your well-being when on the roads. Two seconds lost to checking Left, Right, Left can increase survival and regulate traffic flow. It takes one cent and one second to check if Lincoln’s head matches your tire tread. These tricks could save my life one day, and all because of a Drivers-Ed program. The class teaches valuable road skills and situational decisions, including scenarios of inclement weather, crashes, insurance, maneuvers, and positioning. Learning these things allows more time to react to oncoming traffic and prevent incidents. Understanding the flow of traffic, signs, and lights can mean the difference between driving dangerously and driving safely, of life and death. With beginner teenagers, learning how to drive correctly grants a few extra seconds to save their lives.

Safe driving means obeying traffic lights and signs, thinking ahead, making rational decisions, having situational awareness, and thinking of others’ safety and yourself. Safe driving means saying no to drugs and drinks and making the right decisions when you are out of the vehicle as well- even if this means calling for a ride. Safe driving means pulling over to look at a text or to make a call or turning your phone on silent and ignoring everything in the world but the road and your surroundings. Leave your emotions on the curb the second you sit in the driver’s seat, take a breath, anticipate how others react and whether they did the same. Check your brakes, mirrors, seatbelt, windows, lights, and check your passengers. Adjust the mirrors and your body to what fits you and gives you more control of the road. If drivers complete these steps, the streets will be safer for them, and thus fewer deaths will be associated with driving.

I have never been in a car accident, nor have I ever seen my friends or family driving irresponsibly. But my mother has been in an accident before. She never drinks and drives; she moves with caution and obeys the speed limits and the signs. Yet, she was still in an accident. You never know how others will drive. No matter how safe you drive, you must anticipate other actions and watch them for reckless driving. Had she not reacted quickly and reversed; my mother could have been harmed in place of the car when a truck driver reversed swiftly out of a parking spot. Here are some steps to guide you… Follow the guidelines and limits, stop completely at stop signs, check your car and yourself before driving, change the music before you drive, drive cautiously and watch your surroundings, and most of all, only trust yourself and your instincts. That’s what I do.