What I Didn’t Know Could Kill Me

It was my time to take the driver’s test and parallel parking was first up. I positioned myself and backed in as I was taught and practiced. Perfect, no problem, the rest should be easy. I stopped correctly, turned the right way and completed the test. I thought that now I have freedom to go anywhere. Little did I know that I failed just as I started the test. I was told by the evaluator that I did not look in my mirror to see what was behind me after what I thought was a fantastic parallel parking demonstration. I thought what is the big deal? We are in a parking lot anyway. The evaluator went on to tell me of a case he knew of where a driver pulled out of a spot, just like I did, and was hit by an oncoming car. The man was killed. It was then that I realized that there was more to driving safely then passing a test in a parking lot.

The story definitely shook me up and made me reflect on how I approach driving. I was told how serious a responsibility it is, and even with that story, I wasn’t sure how I would approach my next test and eventual solo driving. My dad and I practiced and he went from giving instruction all the time to intermittent to only when I needed to be told what I was doing wrong. I realize now that he was slowly releasing me to be on my own, giving me advice on small things like looking down the road at the color of the light to expect a stop. The time between my second driving tests made me realize that I have a lot to learn and must know my limits and comfort zone. I am waiting to go on the interstate until I am comfortable on slightly faster roads. I am constantly looking all around as I drive to keep on the lookout for an unexpected object to pop out in front of me. I even know the color of the car behind me now. My dad did this so I am aware of the vehicles around me. He said this will make me more aware to look if they pass, and to be prepared for the unexpected. The more I think about it I am still learning and I think that makes me a safer driver.

It always seems that there is a terrible accident involving high school seniors who get in a crash and die at the end of the school year. Most new drivers probably feel that they are excellent drivers. Even though they may technically be able to drive, they are not prepared for it. I think that the driving test is too easy and requires little effort to pass. Getting your license should involve more observed skill time. We should not rely on technical gadgets in the car. I believe that makes us a lazy driver who will react when something beeps instead of being aware of your surroundings. It seems the only way that my skills improve is when I encounter an unexpected event while I drive. Maybe during test taking there could be a simulator like a video game where a dog runs out in front of you or a car swerves and you have to react. These are real world occurrences that will happen at one point or another. My dad had a dear run out in front of the car that I didn’t even see. He stopped and turned away in time as though it was planned. He didn’t panic or flustered afterward.  That showed me what driving experience is, and a lesson in not having tunnel vision. It is a scenario like this that I think needs to be part of the driving test. Not all cars can have auto braking and safety sensors. Not to sound old but focusing on good old fashion defensive driving skills would pay off. I look back at my driving test and there were no real life distractions that I am having right now as I drive to school.

What I didn’t know before I started driving really could kill me and I realize that there is more to driving than just stopping steering and following traffic laws. I have seen people do risky things in cars that I was not paying attention to before. My hope is that the driver’s test in the future could reflect the true risks and realities of real world driving.