In the Driver’s Seat

Although we may believe that driving is simply a freedom when we turn the right age, it does come with its serious implications. It is saddening to think that the total number of Americans who die within the span of two years as a result of driving is far more than the total of American deaths from wars that we have fought in. It is important, above all, that we find it within ourselves to become responsible drivers who will not only protect themselves, but will protect the thousands of other people who are traveling in their vehicles in any given city. As responsible drivers, we can all make sure that we understand the rules of the road, remain alert at all times, and are aware of our driving limits.

As responsible drivers, we can all make sure that we understand the rules of the road. As someone who has participated in a semester-long driver’s education course, I understand that there are many rules that need to be addressed before jumping behind the wheel. It is also important to consider the fact that rules change over time – what might have been true years ago could be an incorrectly executed action in today’s world. It is also important to realize that different countries embrace different driving rules. In order to prevent a driving accident in a new country, it is crucial to first learn this new country’s driving rules. We might think that we know how to drive, but the rules that we have internalized may not be the rules that we can follow in every place that we visit. Driving is always much more than knowing how to simply brake and accelerate at the appropriate times. In our driver’s education courses, we are taught to interpret road signs appropriately – there is a different between a stop sign and a yield sign. We also learn how to be mindful of other people’s situations on the road – this includes understanding our own situation in any given moment. During my freshman year of high school, I was fortunate enough to have received a driver’s education textbook that I could take home and study prior to my exams. This textbook was filled with detailed diagrams that I was able to compare with what I was actually seeing in my mother’s truck. Although driver’s education isn’t everything when it comes to driving, it is a crucial introductory step to becoming a safer driver.

As responsible drivers, it is also important to remain alert at all times. More often than not, vehicle accidents occur when a driver isn’t paying attention to the task at hand. We may think that once we learn how to drive we don’t have to pay as much attention to what we are doing, but that is certainly not the case. Driving is one of those tasks that requires your full, undivided attention. All of the distractions that prevent us from driving, such as using the car radio, eating a snack while driving, reaching for something in the back seat, receiving a text or phone call, or operating a cellphone GPS system, prevent us from keeping ourselves and others safe. Aside from taking a driver’s education course, there are certainly other steps that we can take to ensure that the number of deaths related to driving is in fact reduced. We can eliminate the use of distractions while driving, prevent ourselves from driving when we are sleep deprived, and use the safety devices that have been installed in our vehicles to keep us safe. In many states within the United States, you will find signs stating that it is illegal to drive without wearing a seatbelt – these signs are present to keep us safe! Although I have never been in a car accident myself, I have seen other people driving irresponsibly. The car accidents that I have heard of have been caused by irresponsible drivers. Instead of keeping safety in mind, certain drivers have chosen to ignore the safety precautions that can save lives. Along with everybody else, I can strive to save lives by being a safer and more responsible driver.

As a responsible driver, I can become more aware of my driving limits. I would like to think that I am a professional driver in all terrains, but I have to understand what I am comfortable with before I act. As an uncomfortable driver, I would be putting myself and other people in danger. Although it is important to learn how to deal with various driving situations, it is also important to acknowledge that nobody can be seen as inferior for asking for help. As a young driver, I can drive only when I am awake, acknowledge basic safety precautions, and encourage other people to do the same. I can provide others my age with the resources that I was given during my driver’s education course – the diagrams, the basic rules, and the instructions to work with professionals who can all help us make this world a safer place.

As responsible drivers, we can all understand the rules of the road, remain alert while behind the wheel, and acknowledge our driving limits. Contrary to popular belief, safe driving is not an easy task – we all need to work together to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. It takes time to learn all of the specific driving rules that exist, but they exist to save lives and make the world a safer and happier place for us all.