With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility

It’s in human nature to make mistakes; however, driving irresponsibility shouldn’t be one of them. Drivers education is by far one of the most important classes anyone can take because it will teach you some of the most crucial things about getting a driver’s license : Foundational skills & practice, safety precautions, and of course, the laws and regulations for driving. As these classes are provided, they aid in reducing the number of deaths/injuries caused by driving through giving the necessary knowledge and training to transform you into a safe and responsible driver.

Various steps could be taken in order to reduce the death rate in relation to driving, the main one being not to allow yourself or others to get behind the wheel while under the influence. When going out with family/friends, discuss who will be the designated driver (DD) and inform them of who will be drinking – this allows the DD to keep an eye out for others while also setting the boundary that there will be no substance use when they’re responsible for driving. When alone, make the conscious decision not to drink and drive and instead call a friend/car service if you have been drinking in order to reduce the risk of endangering yourself and others. Sometimes people will try to stay in the driver’s seat despite being inebriated, if this happens make sure to contact local law enforcement, withhold their keys if possible, and remain close to the driver. It may seem a bit extreme, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

When on the road, a regular day could turn into a disaster depending on the decisions you make. Wearing a seatbelt is crucial and should be done almost as a second nature when getting inside a moving vehicle. Created to prevent both driver and passenger(s) from being ejected during a car crash, seat belts reduce the possible death rate and provide additional security. As both a driver and/or a passenger, it’s important to enforce buckling up in order to stay safe. In addition to wearing a seat belt, putting an end to distracted driving is also needed to ensure everyone’s wellbeing. One’s phone shouldn’t be prioritized over human life, therefore it should be put aside when driving. Don’t text and drive for it increases the chances of getting into a car crash and make sure to keep one’s eyes on the road. If it’s absolutely necessary, wait until you’re at a red light, parked, or have someone beside you to answer your calls/messages. DO NOT think you’re an exception just because you’ve driven and texted before without any issues and DO NOT allow others to think they are an exception as well – in the blink of an eye things change, and anyone can fall victim to the tragedy of distracted driving.

I’m thankful for being able to say that I’ve never been in a car crash, however I have witnessed others driving irresponsibly. I understand that getting one’s driver’s license is like a passage of newfound freedom and it’s extremely exciting, but it shouldn’t be accompanied by overzealous and irresponsible actions such as texting while driving, speeding, and fooling around. Usually I’ll provide encouraging reminders and send funny Instagram videos that have some sort of safe driving involved because I try to be respectful and clear about everything. If that doesn’t work, I tell them about my grandmother and how she was a victim of a hit and run that left her left leg fractured in four different places and her back in extreme pain. I don’t try to sugar coat things because I understand the severity of irresponsible driving and plan on using everything in both my knowledge and power to be a good driver. Internally, I think others see my views on safe driving as “overdramatic” or “no fun”, but I was brought up with the mindset that a car is a weapon if not used correctly and that I should always be careful. After all, how many more lives are we willing to lose to a man made machine that runs on gasoline and the sheer morals of other people?

Overall, getting a driver’s education is extremely beneficial for anyone who wants to learn how to drive because it’ll teach the proper skills and requirements needed to drive. Following basic rules like driving sober, wearing your seatbelt, and not using an electronic device are a must in order to maintain safe roads for everyone. Most importantly, practice safe driving and encourage others as well in order to reduce the number of accidents and deaths as a result of driving.