Name: Autum Bailey
From: Frankfort , Kentucky
Votes: 0
“YOU
CAN’T CHANGE INTO ANOTHER LANE WHILE YOU’RE TURNING!” My
father’s anxious chastisements still ring through my ear every time
I pass the spot where I almost ran into another car after only a few
weeks of driving. My innocent mistake came from inadequate training
and explanation in my beginner’s driving course. The course taught
me to always turn in the inside lane. Little did I know that did not
apply when I was in the outside turning lane. Needless to say,
driving education can be a lifesaving asset or a detrimental
experience if taught improperly.
Driving
education courses are imperative in not only preparing the next
generation of drivers, but also ensuring that each generation before
remains properly educated and prepared. The saying goes, “People
don’t know what they don’t know.” This well-known saying
applies directly to driving and the rules of the road. Without proper
education, no one has the ability to know how to safely operate a
vehicle in order to maximize safety on all roads. Driving education
may not save every life, but if it saves just one it served a
momentous purpose.
Driving
handbooks, permit tests, four hour intermediate courses, online
classes, and driving tests all play an important role in preparing
new drivers for a safe transition into driving by themselves. The
country treats new drivers with extreme caution and often extreme
patience. Seeing a “new driver” sticker on a car often relieves
tension or irritation with the persons’ faulty driving or a slow
speed. It should be taught to treat every car as though they had a
new driver sticker. The patience and caution that is shown towards
new drivers should be replicated in all situations.
Another
way to improve safety and reduce overall deaths would be to recertify
drivers licenses in 20 year increments. New rules and new technology
must be taught and understood, not only among new drivers, but
experienced drivers as well. Ensuring that each person driving is
well equipped with all necessary information would hopefully reduce
the likelihood of extreme crashes due to lack of knowledge.
Irresponsible
driving has caused heartache and fear for many people I know. Seeing
the infamous flashing blue lights accompanied with a blaring siren in
a rear view mirror sparks fear and regret. The experience of
receiving a ticket for speeding or reckless driving is a small price
compared to those who have lost their lives due to reckless driving
and lack of driving safely. Losing a coworker and teacher due to
reckless or incautious driving has been an extreme heartache that
brought havoc on my small town and surrounding areas. The heartache
experienced by those impacted in my area left a lasting void that
could have been avoided by one persons’ reckless mistake.
On
a personal level, driving safely must remain an imperative thought in
the forefront of my mind at all times behind the wheel. Small steps
such as placing my phone in an unreachable spot or driving without
distractions can personally minimize my chances of causing a wreck.
Driving education must continue past the first year of driving and
must be a conscious effort made by each person behind the wheel of a
car.
