When you turn fifteen, most teens take a parent taught drivers education course or go to a drivers education school. In my case, I did the parent taught option. My mother was my teacher and was she diligent in ensuring I knew everything before I was able to get behind the wheel. She was a great teacher and due to her diligence, it has protected me as a driver. Having gone through the parent taught driver education course, it prepared for what was to come such as distracted drivers, reckless drivers, and aggressive drivers. The key word is prepared since drivers ed cannot prevent an accident, but it can prepare you to be a better driver.
Understanding the laws are among the most important things a student will learn. Learning the laws and rules of the road can help you be a safer and a more prepared driver. Driver education cannot only save a person’s life, but it can also save the lives other thousands of other people. According to the CDC, “An average of 36,791 crash deaths occurred each year (101 deaths each day) during 2015–2019 in the United States” (CDC.gov). There are actions to take that can reduce the number of deaths related to driving. The first thing drivers should do it avoid being on their phones. Too many times drivers are distracted by their phone, and it results in an accident or worse, death. It is astonishing the times I have looked over at another driver and they are looking down at their phones. Other habits people have when driving is applying makeup, reading a paper, and eating. If drivers gave their undivided attention when driving, the number of accidents and deaths would lower significantly.
I have personally witnessed a family member texting while driving at high rates of speed. It was scary because I could see their eyes looking down at their phone and not at the road. This was my own father. I pleaded with him to stop looking at his phone and to stop texting, but he did not. He said he could text without looking at his phone. This was regular occurrence with him. Even after we were in a near miss accident, he continued with this behavior. My mother is a big proponent in driving without distractions. She will put her phone in driving mode, so she is not distracted by phone calls or text messages. She told me something valuable; those calls and texts can wait because nothing is more important than your life and the life of others. I carry that with me when I drive and when I am in the car with friends and family. Now that has not prevented her from being in car accidents. People who were distracted have hit her, with my brother and I in the car. There was nothing she could have done to prevent the accident. The gentleman was looking at a helicopter flying overhead and lost control going sixty miles per hour. Our car was hit in the rear quarter panel and cause our car to almost spin out. Because my mom was paying attention, she was able to regain control of the car preventing something worse form happening.
Personally, I put my phone in driver mode, so it does not distract me. If I am going through a drive thru for something to eat, I pull into a parking spot and finish my meal. I am always paying attention to what is happening in my mirrors. I am monitoring what is happening next to me and behind me at all times. The constant attention to my surroundings keeps me safe. If I see someone on their phone, I will make sure I am keeping a safe distance. Speed is another factor that causes accidents. Most people here in Texas do not follow the posted speed limit. I stay in the far-right lane, also known as the slow lane. This way people who want to speed are not putting me in danger by speeding around me or break checking me. I also keep my volume low on the radio so I can hear emergency vehicles or tires screeching. Any time I see someone about to pick up their phone, I tell them to give it to me or to put it down, it is not worth an accident or worse death. I discuss with my family and friends the importance of safe driving. Safe driving can save lives and lower the chances of being in an accident.
In conclusion, we cannot prevent all accidents from happening. However, you can put precautions in place that can lessen the likelihood of being in an accident. Always remember to put your phone down, go the speed limit, and pay attention.