Prepared to be Behind the Wheel

Being a licensed driver brings a feeling of freedom to most teenagers, a sense of maturity for teenagers, and a passageway on their road to adulthood. Most people, however, do not realize the responsibility that comes with a driver’s license and operating an automobile that can cause damage, bodily injury, and even fatalities. Unfortunately, the growing number of injuries and fatalities is increasing with more licensed drivers on the road as the population increases. One needs to be prepared to behind the wheel.

As a licensed driver, you are responsible not only for yourself as the driver but for your passengers and all drivers and pedestrians you encounter while driving. Therefore, driver education courses are essential for all new drivers to teach responsibility, awareness, and confidence, and they have been statistically shown to decrease the number of automobile accidents annually.

One of the first things taught in the driver’s education course is learning about your vehicle and adequately operating all controls. Knowing your car is just as essential as how to drive it. Secondly, you learn about common road knowledge; you will be surprised at how many road signs exist and what they mean. Next, you are taught proper driving and breaking distance in all weather conditions. Most importantly, you learn about when it is safe to drive a vehicle; knowledge about alcohol and drugs is essential to one’s ability to operate a car safely. Lastly, “Behind the Wheel Instruction” with the new driver behind the wheel with an instructor is extremely important. All the classroom knowledge is applied, and one can learn how to use that knowledge correctly behind the wheel of a car with an instructor as the passenger giving additional instructions.

Three months after I received my driver’s license, I was involved in an automobile accident only a few blocks from my house. I was waiting in traffic for the light to change in the left lane of a two-lane road. There was a store entrance, and both me and the vehicle to the right left an open space for oncoming cars to turn into the shopping center as a courtesy. A person was exiting the store driveway making a left-hand turn. They looked to the right to check for oncoming traffic; however, they needed to realize the location of the cars on the road to their left, a vital judgment they had forgotten. I recall the moment very vividly. It happened so fast, but my driver’s and behind-the-wheel education prepared me for what I knew could happen. I used my horn, but their radio was too loud. I braced myself for impact, and what I thought would happen happened. They were not looking in my direction and pulled out very quickly to avoid oncoming traffic. Unfortunately, they misjudged and drove right into the front of my stopped vehicle. The accident could have been highly avoidable if they had only paid more attention to their surroundings. Since my vehicle was stopped and they pulled at an accelerating speed, the damage to the front of my car was extensive and undrivable.

An extension to introductory driving courses also available and recommended are defensive driving courses, which should become a standard to reduce the number of daily accidents. During a defensive driving course, the driver learns to know their surroundings and how to look out for aggressive or erratic drivers and avoid possible accidents.

Getting behind the wheel everyday changes; you face different scenarios as you drive. It may be the weather conditions, the other people on the road, or even your overall mindset that day. Every time you get into a car to drive, you must be fully prepared for the road ahead of you. Drive safely without distractions, and most importantly, never use a cell phone while driving. Instead, pull off to a safe spot and park for that urgent call if there is an urgent matter. In addition, when you are a passenger, you should always be aware of the driver and ask yourself if they can drive safely.

Driving a vehicle has many benefits; however, one must always be responsible behind the wheel of a car. Accidents are accidents hence the name, but with the right mindset learned from proper driver’s education, drivers can significantly reduce the number and, most importantly, the accident’s severity. Being prepared and educated you can help saves lives.