It was the last day of holiday break from school, I was returning to college to start the new semester. As I drove closer to campus, the roads became more hazardous. There was a thin layer of ice coating everything, buildings, cars, sidewalks, roads. The light dusting of snow made everything sparkle. But there was danger lurking on every road, the danger of driving. This danger is always there but is heightened by changing weather conditions. I watched numerous college students attempt to cross an intersection. From a stop, they would see a gap in traffic and punch the accelerator. Several people made multiple attempts before they finally gained enough traction to cross the road. With the cross traffic whizzing by, I was concerned that someone could get hit if the other drivers were not paying attention. I sat watching them thinking about how thankful I am that my parents taught me how to handle icy and snow-covered road conditions. These students did not understand how to manipulate the accelerator to gradually ease their vehicle into motion rather than punching the pedal. Too many people, of various ages are undereducated in driving and do not think about the dangers of driving. They underestimate the danger of one wrong decision, one tiny distraction, or one turn of the wheel. Driving is dangerous for people both in the vehicle and outside, numerous lives are at stake when one individual gets behind the wheel of a vehicle. Vehicles can be just as lethal as firearms. Many people take classes to safely use firearms; Why don’t people see the same level of danger in driving? All it takes is a fraction of a second for a nice Sunday drive to become a fatal incident. However, with proper information, training on how to drive in various conditions, and knowledge of how to handle various situations on the road, everyone can be safer when they embark on their daily travels.
Not only can education courses help inform drivers, but there are also steps individuals can take on their own to become safer drivers. Each person can help themself and others be safer by setting guidelines for when they drive. Don’t be distracted, make sure you are physically equipped to drive, read the road, be alert, and watch out for others. Checking your phone, eating a snack, or jamming to your favorite rock song is not worth putting your life (and others) in danger. Focus on the task at hand, get where you need to go, and then you can safely do everything else you need to do. Before you get behind the wheel, something you need to do is assess if you are physically fit to drive. No, I’m not talking about how far you can run or how much you can bench press. I’m talking about your physical and mental state in relation to substances that influence your reaction time and other skills necessary when driving. Do not drive under the influence of substances that alter your state of mind and do not drive if you are not 100% awake. As a college student, I consume caffeine to get through the day after a late night of studying. But when I need to drive, I get good sleep the night before so I do not have to worry about falling asleep behind the wheel. When you are fit to drive, it is important to know how to read the road. Be aware that when the road looks dark in some areas it could be wet or icy. Listen to the sound of your tires, you can tell when the road is normal and when it is covered with hazardous hard packed snow or ice. This all coincides with being alert and aware of other drivers. Constantly check your surroundings to watch for hazards and other elements such as law enforcement vehicles or ambulances. Even with applying all these strategies to be a safer driver, none of it matters if you do not watch what other drivers are doing. By being aware of other vehicles and assessing what they might do, you can defend your safety and help make the road safer for everyone. For example, a driver might move closer to the center line before changing lanes without signaling. But if you are watching, you can see them move closer before they move over and ensure you are in a safe place where they will not merge into your vehicle or cause an accident.
Just like guard rails, these guidelines will keep you on the road and away from danger. With proper personal guidelines and drivers' education, each person can do their part to keep each other safe. The road is full of danger, but we need to do what we can to keep each other safe. Drive safe! Don’t put yourself, your family, or your community in danger! Be educated and defend everyone’s safety!