Lives Depend On Everyone Who Sits In The Driver’s Seat

Who is in the driver’s seat? You, your loved ones, your friends, your neighbor learning to drive for the first time? We are not only responsible when we are in the driver’s seat but for others as well.

Driver education courses provides important information on how to legally and safely drive including rules of the road, how to drive in rainy or snowy weather, handling unexpected road conditions, identifying potential danger and risks to avoid an accident. Courses also help develop a driver’s judgment, patience, focus and emphasizes common sense and being a courteous driver not engaging in and avoiding road rage behavior. Driver education is important for everyone to take prior to getting their license. I recently learned that this is not a requirement, and it differs from state to state. I believe driver education should be a requirement in every state for any person wanting to get a driver license regardless of age. This would greatly reduce the number of deaths as a result of driving because of the information you learn from such courses versus not having a course.

There are many important and common sense steps drivers can take to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. Basic steps such as wearing your seatbelt, not looking at or operating your phone, not putting on make-up or shaving while driving are important to remember. Clearly, avoid driving while you are tired, under the influence of alcohol, drugs and even some medications that may impair your driving abilities. There are other steps to avoid death related accidents that drivers may not think of. Distractions are a major cause for deadly accidents. A driver is responsible for what happens inside of their car. Drivers should not listen to loud music, have loud or wild people or animal passengers in the car that could cause drivers to become distracted. Know your driving route. Start audible navigation so you do not need to look at your phone for directions. In addition to these controllable steps, you also should use common sense and not drive in dangerous road or weather conditions, when you are tired, angry or overly emotional. These are common sense steps every driver can take that could avoid a deadly accident.

I have had many instances of witnessing distracted, angry and irresponsible drivers. Recently, my neighbor aggressively drove behind me irritated that I was stopping at the stop signs and driving slowly within our community. She angrily tailgated me until she could speed around me. My mom and I had our SUV totaled by a drowsy driver who was a nurse going home after working at the hospital. She fell asleep behind the wheel, drove through a red light, and hit our car so hard it spun around in the intersection. We were ok but the other driver had to go to the hospital. I have been in several driving situations where we have nearly been hit by drivers speeding, running red lights and stop signs. Drivers run through our neighborhood stop signs multiple times a day. I’ve seen cars racing each other on the freeways and on the streets. Drivers at my high school have driven on the sidewalk and grass to get to the student parking lot. There are drivers who drive fast, screech their tires, drive with too many students in their cars while vaping and playing loud music in the school parking lot. Surprisingly though is how reckless and inconsiderate the parent drivers are. They do not give room for student drivers to enter the student parking lot, make illegal u-turns, they park behind parked cars so drivers cannot get out of their parking spots, nearly hit pedestrians daily, park along the red curb to drop off or pick up their children and some just stop in the middle of the street! They have a sense of entitlement and behave like their children are the only ones who matter which causes other drivers to get angry, yell, honk their horns and confrontations have happened. My mom’s neighbor was a contractor would throw measuring tape rolls out his window at drivers he was upset with. Road rage and vehicle crimes seem to occur more often and you have to be careful, aware, courteous and not engage with angry or upset drivers. My dad is a police officer and he taught me if you see an incident or crime be a good witness and call 911.

There are steps you can take to be a better and safer driver and to help others be a safer driver. For example, there are Cal Trans, news, city and neighborhood apps you can check prior to driving and report problems to alert other drivers of unsafe road conditions, traffic or road closures, unexpected flooding or debris in the streets, streetlights out, ect. You can lead by example by driving safely, being courteous, having good driver attitude and manners. Taking extra time is important. Giving yourself extra time to get somewhere, wait a little longer at changing streetlights and stop signs. Taking time and preparation to make sure your vehicle has gas, emergency items, snacks, water and is in good working condition are all important and lead to safer driving. Do not react to irresponsible drivers with anger or retaliation. Do not participate in or be a spectator in racing, street takeovers or illegal and dangerous car stunts. Do not get into a vehicle when you or the driver you are with could be impaired; have a plan in case this happens. Use multiple ways to prevent yourself or someone else from driving impaired. For example, know your alcohol limits, call a friend, roommate or family member to come get you, call a ride share company or possibly your college campus security if you are a college student. These are just a few examples of how you can be a better and safer driver and help others to be safer drivers as well.