The Importance of Being a Safe and Educated Driver

Driver education teaches us to drive defensively. It increases the awareness that comes with the responsibility of driving. Since the responsibility of driving is a matter of life and death, I believe formal driver’s education training should be mandatory in every state before issuance of a driver’s license. I’m a teen driver who went through a driver’s education course for my license, which has increased my confidence and knowledge about rules of the road. While enrolled in the course I heard of a study which found that driver’s education reduces traffic violations and accidents significantly. Another benefit of taking a driver education training course is that insurance companies offer discounts for teen drivers. Based on my experience, receiving training from certified driving instructors increases safety and reduces the risk of receiving traffic tickets.

There are several steps that can be taken to reduce deaths related to driving. For example, wearing a seatbelt drastically reduces injuries; but some drivers choose not to wear their seat belt. Drivers should get in the habit of always wearing a seat belt, whether they are traveling a long distance or just going around the corner to the store. Distracted driving such as texting, talking on the phone while driving, reaching to adjust the radio, are other ways people have caused collisions. Distracted driving can be avoided by drivers setting radio stations and keying in destinations in GPS or maps before driving. Cell phones should be for emergency use only on the road. It is best to pull over to use the cell phone, rather than texting or talking on the cell phone while driving. Obeying speed limits is another important factor in reducing death related driving since the faster you go, the less reaction time you have. Speeding for the unskilled and inexperienced driver is more likely to cause an accident. There is a term I hear called “buzzed driving”- which is another expression for drunk driving. Sadly, drivers get behind the wheel while having alcohol in their system, which results in thousands of deaths a year. Statistics show that in 2012 more than 10,000 lives were lost because of “buzzed driving”.

I have never been in an accident- nor am I aware of friends who have. I have an uncle who drives irresponsibly at times. There are times he will eat while driving which sometimes requires him to use both hands. This means he must take his hands off the steering wheel; so, I have seen him drive with his knees for minutes at a time. He will often talk on his phone while driving. When challenged about the dangers of doing this, his response is, “I have been doing this for a long time.”

Here are steps that we can take to become better and safer drivers:

Reduce speeds: Speeding increases the chance of accidents- particularly in wet and adverse driving conditions since it takes longer to come to a stop. Also, when it has not rained for a while, the first rains can make the roads slick as the water and oil from cars mix. Speeding gives less time to react and often increases the severity of accidents.

Be aware of pedestrians and surroundings: Sometimes pedestrians wear hoodies and may not be able to see the road at times and can step onto the road when drivers least expect. Paying attention to what is happening on all sides of the car, and not just in front of you is important.

Signaling: It is important to signal each time to let the other drivers know your intention to change lanes. Using caution when changing lanes since changing lanes too fast or not using signals can cause an accident.

Rest before long travels: When planning a long-distance trip, be sure to get a good night’s rest. Also taking a break from driving every 2-3 hours to stretch is safe. This can eliminate fatigue and boost mental alertness.

Plan ahead: There are steps to take before getting on the road such as, mapping out the route ahead of time, plan for stops for food. It is best to use the phone during stops and rest breaks.

Lastly, it is important for all drivers to remember that driving is not a right, but a personal responsibility. We all must share the road, so we might as well learn to do so safely. Responsible driving involves obeying traffic laws, learning the rules of the road, driving defensively, and respecting each other’s rights. While on the road we should be alert and always focused on driving and not distracted or impaired. Driving safely should always be our main concern; and irresponsible drivers should be held accountable.