Driver Education Initiative – In the Driver’s Seat

Baruchi1

Tori
Baruchi

Grade
12

Sept
23, 2019.

In
the Driver’s Seat

Driving
is scary, how many times have you heard that thus far as a new
driver? Worldwide, most deaths are caused by irresponsible drivers.
That is why most parents don’t allow you, the new driver, to go out
more than once a day in your car. Most of the time, it isn’t you
who is driving irresponsibly, it is the driver’s around you who
are. It is guaranteed that most drivers have not taken a Driver’s
Education course, which is a very helpful class that can help lower
death rates worldwide and improve a person’s understanding of the
importance of safe driving.

In
a Drivers Ed course, you are taught step by step instructions on
what to do when you enter your car, before you enter the
freeway/highway, and what to look out for while driving on the
freeways and highways. You are also taught to understand the
importance of road signs and traffic lights, what they mean, and why
they are meant to be on roads. Maneuvers are also taught in this
class, but not until you are fully aware of what message your driving
instructor is sending you through the many lectures on safe driving.
Drivers Ed is very important especially for young driver’s
because as mentioned, this class teaches everything you must know and
haven’t learned yet. Your driving instructor will keep you
practicing until they see that you are fully capable of holding a
license.

The
easiest ways to reduce the number of deaths due to irresponsible
driving would be to take the Drivers Ed course, pay attention to
details in the class, use those techniques they show you when you go
for your next ride around town, and always be on guard. If you need
to go somewhere but don’t want to drive yourself, ask a parent or
older sibling with a license to take you. If you are a driver who is
older than 21 years and maybe had a little too much fun at the bar,
make sure you have a sober driver with you or call someone who
doesn’t mind coming to pick you up and take you home. Driving under
the influence is very irresponsible and deadly, you are putting
yourself along with others who may be in the car with you at risk.
“Highway Hypnosis” is real and caused when you start to zone out
while driving. If this is to occur to you, there are two options:
look back and forth from sky to road or from trees to trees to wake
up, or if there is another licensed driver in the car, pull over and
switch seats. Allow other driver’s in the car with you to take a
turn.

I
am a newly licensed driver and have not been in an accident,
thankfully. However, I do have parents who have been in an accident
caused by another irresponsible driver. The accidents were minor, but
the process my parents had to go through for insurance purposes and
health wise was heart breaking for me. Even though everyone involved
in this accident was fully aware it wasn’t any of my parent’s
fault, everyone still had to participate in a court round to answer
questionnaires from a judge. Once court was over, all had to pay for
damage to their vehicle’s. It is a hard process, and something I’m
sure everyone would like to avoid.

I
am in the “new licensed driver’s” group, meaning I am still
learning every day how to become a safer driver while in the
captain’s seat. Steps that I am using to become a more responsible
driver is doing my pre-driving checklist each time I am getting ready
to head out. I was taught this checklist in Drivers Ed, it
includes locking your car doors after entering, putting your key in
the lock and starting your car, adjust your seat, adjust your
mirrors, and put your seatbelt on. Once you’ve done each step and
checked twice that you are ready to go, then you may exit your
driveway. ALWAYS wear your seatbelt, it protects you from injuring
yourself if you were ever involved in an accident. Always be on guard
at intersections and when you are making a lane change. If there is a
light at an intersection and it turns green, while making your way
through, look both ways just to be safe. Same rules apply for when
you are making a lane change, make sure you have enough space between
your vehicle and the vehicle behind and in front of you before
switching lanes. Lock your doors every time you exit and enter your
car, there are needy people out there. With a simple touch of a key
lock button, your car will be happy, and so will you. Check mirrors
often while on the road, oncoming traffic can be scary. If you see
the driver behind you is not fully paying attention, make a lane
change when it is safe.

Driving
will always be scary for everyone, no one knows what can happen.
Familiarizing yourself with each step mentioned and taking the
Drivers ed course will help to ensure that you are ready to
take on the role of a responsible driver.