Think and Drive

We can all recall being a kid dreaming of getting behind the driver’s wheel. That wish encouraging our imagination to run rampant with dreams of what we could do with the access to a license. We step foot into the driving school and take endless notes on driver safety with the cute little titles you see in the Pinterest posts, remembering every minute detail in case it be on the driving exam. Finally, you passed the written exam, all of that hard work pays off and you know you are one step closer to going out anytime to see your friends and family and have pride in growing up. The day you get your license is liberating, you finally feel like you have the freedom to live freely. Unfortunately for many the opportunity becomes abused. You overlook the lessons you received in driving school and that independence becomes toxic, because you feel entitled to driving and engage in unsafe driving habits. 

I watched the process take place with my own eyes. My mother abused her privilege to drive, going out to the car after nights of drinking and abusing her commitment to uphold driving laws. Those habits caught up to her, when she crashed her car while driving under the influence. This accident nearly cost her her life, ordering her into the emergency room where she passed away and was revived by medical specialists who claimed her recovery was a “miracle.” Her years of extensive physical therapy, mental therapy, rehabilitation and re-acclimation into society forced her in a perpetual loop of catch-up with the rest of her peers. This guilt spiraled, as it was bound to, in drug abuse and consequent death. Her freedom to drive ended up putting her in shackles, all because she exploited her privileges. The moral of the story is, if you abuse your freedom to drive you are putting yourself, your friends, your family and your community at risk of extreme harm.

Every time you get behind the wheel, you are signing a contract to uphold the obligations of a safe driver to protect yourself and others. To look for traffic lights, stop signs, pedestrians, care for your car, keep your phone out of sight, keep close eyes on everything around you, and use your mirrors. We all learned these practices in driving school and typically, they work. Driving school gives us the convenience of teaching younger generations before they get on the road, which gives them the tools they need to respect the pre-existing laws and courtesies of the road. By showing them how people on the road are already driving, it allows them to anticipate the actions of other drivers and teaches them to be more predictable themselves. Likewise, it gives them a strong foundation of the driving basics, leading to safer driving than if they were to not attend driving lessons. These lessons have helped decrease the amount of deaths due to cars, but has not eliminated it because it is everyone’s individual duty to uphold those lessons.

To become a safer driver and save the lives of many, use seatbelts at all times. Most deaths from car crashes result as a failure to properly use seatbelts, so do not begin driving until everyone in the car has their seat belt fastened. Ensure that you are aware and safe, do not drive if you are tired or under the influence of any drugs, alcohol, or medications that may make you drowsy. Being aware of your surroundings while driving will allow you to be more cautionary and drive with more intent. Eliminate all potential distractions. This includes putting your phone in a place that is not easily accessible to avoid the temptation of picking it up, adjusting your mirrors and seats before driving, creating a car-specific playlist or radio station so you do not have to change the music while driving, avoiding eating/drinking while driving, and ensuring you will be comfortable for the duration of your trip. Keep close eyes on your surrounding to be prepared for all circumstances that need immediate action and do not drive for long durations of time. Last, keep calm while driving, especially if you are a new driver. Do not get angry at other drivers and remain courteous of the road.