Driving Safely

Safety when it comes to driving is the most important thing. A vehicle is a loaded weapon and should be taken seriously with respect. I have been in a very serious domestic violent marriage in my past. If I upset him while he was driving, he would use his driving to scare me more. I could simply be sitting there quiet and looking out the window, trying to not upset him, and he would take it as me trying to fight because I am not being social. He would go on his rampage. If the speed limit was 35 he was doing at least 60, swerving in and out of lanes, waiting until the last second to brake to ensure the fear even more. If we were on the interstate he would go upwards of 80-90 mph and if I didn’t react or react the way he wanted he would do this while punching me. Driving is something that is not taken serious enough by any means. Situations like this and other situations I have witnessed are why I take it so serious. I try to instill in my children how truly dangerous driving can be if it is not taken seriously.

I believe ways to make it safer for everyone involved are requiring Driving Classes for Minors and adults, lights being lit from the top to the bottom of the pole, paint on the road to be illuminated, 65-year-old recertification, Driver’s Mode on Cell phones, and Universal driving requirements nationwide.

Mandatory driving classes. I know where I live, Driver’s education is not required. School signs off stating you make passing grades, your parents ‘ensure’ with no follow up that you have driven the 1500 hours required. Then after 6 months you take your driving test which consist of driving around a neighborhood and just parking in a normal spot. If you are over 18, you can get your permit and license the same day without any formal education or time to learn how to drive. This will ensure the proper training is being given across the board.

Every state has different laws and with people moving throughout the country and military being moved to different bases, it creates a perfect storm. Someone that follows laws for an example in California, was taught in, and has been driving in California, moves across the country to Kentucky for an example, the driving experience and education will be completely different. If we, at the very least, implemented nationwide, universal driving laws and education, people will have a good foundation of driving skills that are able to be transferred no matter where they end up. I personally live in a military and college town, we get people from all over. We have so many accidents, it baffles me. You will see in the city’s Facebook groups asking questions about driving and what is legal or the normal here compared to where they come from. They leave this to a Facebook group.

Mandatory Road test with vision check, to ensure you are able to still pass the test and be able to maintain the driving laws safely at the age of 65. At this time they can pass and continue to drive as we all hope they do, or will determine what needs to be corrected before they are able to drive. This will also assist families with not being the ones that have to take the keys away from parents and grandparents and makes it a formal process to ensure emotions are not involved.

The stop lights can be upgraded to LED lights that include the poles to ensure it is bright and visible. As well as using illuminated paint on the road for the lines. The helps ensure it is seen easier. The lights on the pole, if someone is distracted, or the sun is too bright, or even at night struggling to see the lights, this ensures to catch your sight and be able to safely come to a stop when needed.

A device to start your car, you must plug your phone in, and it puts your phone in drivers mode, text messages and notifications are completely disabled and unable to access. Able to make/receive calls by using a hands-free device. Texting while driving is one of the top reasons for accidents.

So many distractions are out there and without the intentional focus and to truly take it serious, it is only creating more accidents and deaths. We can implement even a few of these ideas, and our world will be safer.