Aware and Intelligent Behind the Wheel

Juliano Plata

University of Miami

Drivers ed Initiative Award: In the Driver’s Seat

07/15/2020

Aware and Intelligent Behind the Wheel

In modern society, driving has become the most common form of transportation for people. Nevertheless, it has also turned out to be the most riskful way in which individuals move around. Despite taking place in a ‘safer’ environment, compared to transportation through air or water, driving implies danger due to human error. The fact that this factor is more popular among car driving makes it much more probable for accidents to happen. All of course because of the higher volume of drivers present at the same time within this medium.

Taking into account the quick progression and evolution of society, as well as driving as a seemingly permanent form of transportation, intelligence and awareness are to become the ever-present qualities in every driver in order to reduce the risk of death when driving. The exertion of this characteristics is fundamental both collectively and individually because they hold the key components for a person to drive considering himself/herself, others, and their surroundings. In other words, intelligence and awareness promote safety by always taking into account controllable and incontrollable variables when driving.

Drivers should be educated with the mentality of driving depending on others. One never knows or can control the actions of somebody else, but everyone is able to make the choice of being cautious by driving respectfully as protecting oneself. Acquiring the awareness of people around us being susceptible to making mistakes should increase a sense of vulnerability through which we can make the smart selection of driving safe and focused to protect ourselves and those surrounding us.

I myself have had the experience of being on both sides of a car accident: being the one who caused it and the one who did not. Thank God it has never been a big crash or an event where someone gets hurt, but rather small bumps from and to the back of a car because of silly distractions. I have also witness close people driving as one can consider to be irresponsibly. The common factors in every situation where the lack of intelligence and awareness because of a distraction; all human mistakes.

I believe that, besides education, one principle that can serve as a step towards been a better and safer driver is that of denying oneself. By not trying to defend or excuse yourself for unsafe behaviors or events when driving, and turning the other cheek, you opt to contribute for the common good and safety of others. The ability of being meek and deny your own rights or be wise enough to slow down and stopping when other one went over a stop sign can save lives, including your own. Also, because you are aware and intelligent enough to break at a yellow light turning red, that high speed individual whose light just turned green from a distance is at least able to pass through without unchaining a tragic accident which affects families. In the end, you respect yourself by respecting others and vice versa.