The “Ideal” Driver

The “Ideal” Driver

By Ashley Glougie

Many young drivers don’t understand the reason why they have to go through the extensive and tedious process of drivers ed through written exam and behind-the-wheel exam. This requirement in order to get a driver’s license is all the more necessary to make a new driver a great example for others on the road. Drivers ed helps educate new drivers of the DMV laws that are in place in their state and demonstrate what the “ideal” and law-abiding driver does, while on the road. Despite the training every new driver goes through, there are still high numbers of deaths related to driving, regardless of whose fault it is. Even the most experienced driver can end up in deadly car accidents and conflicts. That’s why it’s important to know what can be done to prevent these situations from happening to you, as the new driver.

In order to reduce the numbers of deaths caused by vehicular accidents, there needs to be more accident awareness. People of all ages need to see what an accident looks like, in addition to what caused the accident. The most important of all is how a deadly accident, like the one seen, can affect you, your future, and your loved ones. Some accidents may not leave you deceased, but disabled, affecting your goal of being in your future career or your goal of having a family. There are many causes to car accidents that people don’t think much about, like distracted driving. For example, a driver reaching down for the bag of French fries they recently purchased could lead them to swerving off a cliff or colliding into another vehicle. Anything is possible, which all drivers need to be made aware off.

Another huge step that could be taken to reduce vehicular deaths is by having more police presence. The “spook” of getting pulled over, especially as a young and new driver, is very impacting. I drove responsibly in town, but my dad drilled into my head that there were no cops in rural areas and driving the way he did in these areas were okay. I learned the hard way by seeing the flashing red and blue lights on my way home from the mountains. As a 17-year-old driver, I was a nervous wreck seeing these lights. The cop wrote up the ticket and I had to go through court, in addition to in-class drivers ed with CHP. Ever since, I’ve driven responsibly universally. My point is that more cops should be pulling people over when they don’t abide by state driving rules, instead of ignoring and belittling them.

In order to become a better driver, I need to follow exactly what the DMV’s driving manual calls for. By doing so, I need to practice being the “ideal” driver on the road, despite who’s inside the car with me. As a passenger in a vehicle, I need to bring awareness and speak up when something isn’t right.