Better Safe Than Sorry

I gasped as the car in front of me suddenly braked. I looked through their back window and caught the eye of a middle-aged lady who looked at me apologetically. In her hand, she was holding a phone with the easily identifiable Facebook screen on it. In her distracted state, she didn’t notice the green light. As cars started honking behind us, she stomped on the gas again, barely making her right turn. Another regretful look. She swerved onto the ramp and increased her force on the gas, accelerating far over the speed limit before slowing down. I breathed a sigh of relief as I saw her putting her phone down. But my jaw soon hit the ground again when she picked up a steaming cup of coffee. How could she have developed such driving habits?
It was this experience that opened my eyes to the dangers of unsafe driving. It’s easy to watch the news and hear statistics about car crashes without truly understanding the gravity of the situation. After directly experiencing the fear of driving on the road with someone who had developed bad habits, I’ve come to realize the significance of driver education and steps that even experienced drivers can take.
Driver education is important for people to drive safely and properly. Drivers learn to stay focused and aware of their surroundings, and they can adjust to the cars around them. It is important to know different signals and signs, as it allows drivers to flow with the traffic. Being familiar with the car and surroundings helps when having to think fast, thus avoiding crashing. Drivers also learn how to handle in different conditions, like rain or fog. Overall, driver education is a way for new drivers and experienced drivers to gain control when driving and is important to reduce crashes and deaths.
Lastly, focus is one of the most important things for a driver. Drivers should keep away from distractions and know well ahead of time when and where they are turning. They should be focused on the road ahead of them and avoid phone calls or engaged conversations with passengers. This, along with driving for short periods of time, will help them be prepared for high stress situations. Beyond avoiding distractions, it is also important to have a clear view of all sides and keep a considerable distance from other cars. Drivers should know where other cars are heading, and they should have time to react to unexpected behavior without crashing. Keeping mirrors aligned to a driver’s field of view and ensuring to check blind spots further decreases the chances of accidents.
In order to become a safer driver, it is necessary to understand the inherent dangers in driving without following necessary steps. Any distractions can cost innocent lives, including your own. We need to acknowledge our mistakes and make sure that we maintain good driving habits and technique. We should always be focused on and aware of our surroundings, adjust to the traffic if needed, and follow all signs and lights. It is better to be safe than sorry!