Driving on the Line

Driving on the Line

Driving fatalities is something of an epidemic. Reducing the number of fatalities related to automobile accidents is a very important concept. This is so important because it causes so many deaths that could be remedied with more educated drivers. If people took driver safety seriously and were more cautious on the road so many lives could be saved. It’s sad to see, but people have a blatant disregard nowadays for the rules of the road and are much more focused on getting themselves places than paying attention to what is around them. Some steps that can be taken to prevent this nonchalant attitude towards driving could be more rigorous testing. Another solution may to require practice hours with someone with at least 5 years of experience for all new drivers, so that everyone can build up their experience. I know that this helped to build up my confidence when driving but also allowed me to see how to be cautious. I remember one time, when I had my learners permit, I was with my mom and she told me to stay back from a truck that had some boxes in the back of it, because they could fall out. I did as she instructed and moved into another lane to be extra cautious, and not a minute later all of those boxes started falling off the back of that truck. That situation could’ve turned fatal, as we were on the highway and I could’ve swerved and hit the truck or another car. The help and advice from someone with more experience is always a great way to help people understand. The experience I gained from my parents teaching was beneficial.

When I was younger, I remember watching a car take a turn too fast and end up flipping itself over. The people I was with and myself went over to help. That was a traumatic thing for me to see so young, and I consider myself to be a very cautious driver now because of that. Then I see people that I’m close to driving irresponsibly and I try to do the best that I can to correct their irresponsible behavior. My parents, for example, often scare me when they drive, because some of their practices are not proper and I often find myself “backseat driving,” and have to stop. I then talk to them about it later, so I don’t distract them while they are driving.

I think the best way to be a good driver and help to prevent so many deaths is to follow the rules of the road, and be aware of your surroundings. My dad likes to say “you have to drive other people’s cars too” and is sad to see that he is right. Some people are very careless when they are driving, and my family and I have been in some close calls, but thanks to us being aware of our surroundings, we were able to make it out.