In the Blink of an Eye

It can happen in a moment. In a second your life can change, and in a second your life can end. Motor vehicle accidents account for one of the leading, and most preventable, causes of death. It is up to each and every driver to do their part and practice defensive driving so that the roads may stay safe. As drivers, we are taking an oath to protect our lives and the lives of strangers, because in an instant everything can change. In California, underage drivers must take a Driver’s Ed course, take the permit test and take behind the wheel lessons, all before they have the chance to get their license. This extensive process is one that protects many young drivers but California still hosts the leading amount of motor vehicle accident related deaths. Through education we can work to prevent and decrease the amount of motor vehicle related accidents. It is up to responsible drivers to ensure a safe environment for all individuals on the road by preventing distracted driving, human error, and adapting to instances out of our control, all through Drivers Education.

Technology is one of the greatest gifts and advancements in humanity, but also a blank slate for new challenges that we need to adapt to. It is so easy to pick up your phone to check the message we just got, or look down to make sure we are following the GPS correctly. It is moments like these where we let our guard down, and provide an opportunity for accidents to happen. Luckily there is a solution to combat the problem with technology, more technology! Programs like Driving Mode or Android Auto are built into our devices and reduce distracted driving. We have to do our part to put our phones away, and focus on the road. Drivers Ed teaches us the importance of constantly being alert, when there are so many distractions around us. Even if we are waiting for that email that says we got into our dream school, got that scholarship we just applied to, or the job we had interviewed for, it is most important that we are able to reap these benefits, instead of making a mistake and never being able to see these opportunities through.

Human error is the leading cause of car accidents. It may be said that not everything can be taught through books, sometimes experience is the best teacher. Drivers Education thoroughly explores the written rules of responsible driving, but also touches base on the unspoken rules of driving as well. Becoming a defensive driver also means becoming an adaptive driver. Sometimes there will be vehicles on the road who are not following the rules, and these drivers ultimately pose as much danger to themselves as they do to everyone around them. As a defensive driver we have to be alert and ready to face any challenge the road may throw at us. Taking a Drivers Education course prepares us for many challenges, helping us adapt on the spot wherever we may be. Drivers Education reduces human error, and reduces car accidents because drivers are much more defensive and adaptive than those who did not receive a proper education on driving. We first have to learn how to abide by the rules in order to become the safest versions of ourselves, so that when we are faced with a challenge on the road we will make the right decision that will keep us from getting into accidents.

Although I have never personally experienced a car accident, which I am very grateful for, I have seen multiple happen before my eyes. In the area where I reside there are often sand storms, making visibility very low and the area much more prone to accidents. Although these accidents are partly due to uneducated, reckless drivers, the condition of the roads are also to blame. It is frightening to say that sometimes our safety is out of our own hands. When driving through roads with low visibility that have eroded due to the harsh environment, it makes it much more difficult to feel confident in your abilities when almost every obstacle is thrown your way. Although these issues may fall out of our jurisdiction as drivers, it is important for us to be educated on the best way to adapt to these situations. For example, through Drivers Education we learn about the different intensities our lights should be on depending on the environment. We can use this when faced with low visibility in order to feel confident in our abilities to drive through difficult terrain. Due to this education, we are able to adapt to the difficult situations we are given and build our experience as defensive drivers.

All in all, drivers are constantly faced with challenges on the road, but an education can help each and every one adapt to any problem they are faced with. An education can reduce the amount of motor vehicle related accidents because an education like Drivers Ed prepares drivers to be the most defensive and adaptive version of themselves. Drivers Education shows drivers how to take responsibility and keep themselves and others safe. Through Drivers Education individuals can prevent distracted driving, human error, and adapt to any challenge they are faced with. It is up to each individual driver to be ready to make a split second decision that can save their life, and another stranger’s life too.