Driving awareness: A tradition to be taught

Marlos Angulo

May 30, 2020

Driving Awareness: A tradition to be taught

Driving, a rite of passage that teenagers hope to earn the privilege of earning when they grow to become adults. Teenagers as being inexperienced in driving compared to adults; they are more likely to have less drivers ed that they do not have the concept of having defensive driving. Inexperience in drivers that are not aware of their survival can cause fatality on the road that causes grieving for many, including myself. When I was a child I was on my way back home from my grandparents when a car emerging from the highway hit us on the side. Fortunately, all passengers came out safely, but on that day I realized the importance of driving defensively and always being aware of my surroundings. When learning about driving, it’s important to learn defensive driving as a mindset rather than a style, because you’re not only protecting yourself when you are driving but everyone around you.

According to the NHTSA, the number of highway fatalities shrinks every year, but to ensure that fewer deaths occur on the road, implementing safety is important. The defensive driving mindset that focuses on impaired driving, speeding, and distractions is that solution. Driving while under the influence compromises the abilities of the driver and can be anything from alcohol to medication, having a designated driver ensure that a driver is not a danger to themselves and others. Drivers should never implement speeding at high velocity that gives the risk of death more likely, whether you’re late or in a hurry, speeding will only bring more possibility to the death of others. Distraction: The most careless driving act is the most dangerous as even a moment of losing focus can cause a fatal accident when driving defensively, one should always focus to be on the lookout when on the road as it applies the entire aspect of defensive driving.

Even if every driver were to implement defensive driving, people will still die from motor-related deaths. People in society altogether need to improve the way driving is the awareness and trust that others are following the rules of the road to ensure that others teach children early on about road safety. Training children early on about the rules of the road will not only increase their motor skills but better driving habits for the future. Early education also allows driving teachers to practice the proper rules first rather than ones that benefit themselves but not the surrounding drivers. Knowing the correct rules of the road increases the safety of drivers when driving around dangerous cars as they do not share the same mindset of being defensive and aware while going somewhere in a car when anything dangerous can happen. Defensive driving doesn’t mean one is immune to danger, but they are more likely to be aware of how it can happen to anyone and prepare by staying aware and safe both for themselves and their passengers.