I was still a child when my father and I were driving on a relatively empty road. It was a dreary and foggy weekday to be out running some errands. I saw him reach to grab something from the cup holder. His eyes left the road and his body was turned away from the steering wheel. Straight ahead was a large public bus that was stopped for some passengers. We were going about 45 miles per hour. I didn’t say anything at first because I trusted that he knew there was a bus up ahead. However, the distance between the two vehicles was closing in quite rapidly. I called out to him once, then twice in a panic as I saw the gap become less than 100 feet. He applied the brakes swiftly. We barely stopped in time. Thankfully, no one was harmed or even noticed that we almost crashed into the bus.
Driver education is important in reducing the number of car accident fatalities by teaching about safe driving and traffic laws. This includes defensive driving and how to respond during emergencies. However, true knowledge is getting behind the wheel and practicing these things. In addition to a written examination, driver education provides experiential learning and passing a driver’s test before becoming independent on the road. This stage of driving is crucial because it prepares others for both the good (freedom to go wherever) and bad (risk of serious injury) of driving. More importantly, driver education equips people with the basics of reducing serious injury, such as wearing a seatbelt or looking both ways twice before crossing.
Firstly, an important aspect of driving is being able to anticipate other’s movements. This plays a role in reducing the number of deaths as a result of car accidents. It involves paying attention to everything in front of you that could potentially get near you. For example, if there is a car that wishes to cross into your lane to turn, anticipate that they will make a turn even if you have the right of way. Reduce your speed and watch whether their wheels start turning. This will avoid a potentially fatal crash.
Secondly, during times of emergency it’s important to minimize the fight or flight response. Rather, focus on the best course of action to take in reducing potential injuries. For instance, if you lose control of your vehicle, avoid making sudden turns because it could cause the tires to lose traction. Instead, steer steadily in a specific direction toward safety. A good way to practice this would be to practice various things with your vehicle (e.g., parking different ways, driving on different terrain, driving in different environments) to get a better sense of control over its functions.
Thirdly, driving too slowly is just as likely to cause accidents as speeding. it’s generally safer to follow the flow of traffic even if it’s slightly above the speed limit. Going too slow can cause fatal accidents because it may disrupt the flow of traffic, thereby causing congestion and potentially causing others to slam on their brakes. A general rule of thumb is reserving the far left lanes for passing slower vehicles. This would reduce traffic and potential crashes. In addition, keeping a safe distance behind a vehicle will reduce sudden braking or swerving. For roads of 55 miles per hour or below it is good to keep at least one car length away, and for speeds above this, around two car lengths away. This enables enough reaction time to brake in response to unexpected traffic or sudden emergencies.
For my case, after the incident from when I was a child, I’ve made sure to drive extra cautious when I have passengers. To me, this means making sure I can pull out into traffic without causing someone to brake. It also means making complete stops at a stop sign and not rolling by, or physically looking around me and not relying on the mirrors or a digital device for awareness. When I’m alone, I am less likely to be this cautious but I am still careful to assess situations before acting. One thing I can do is reduce the volume of my music so I can listen for any emergency vehicles or potential hazards that may come. I should minimize any kind of distraction that would take even part of my focus off of the road. Further, making sure that I’m always driving at a reasonable speed and to avoid taking “shortcuts” in traffic that could potentially cause an accident.
The best way to help others become safer on the road is to make sure I am a safe driver. Whenever I’m driving others, I always try to demonstrate how to be a defensive and rational driver. Sometimes, errors may happen but it’s important to avoid panicking to make sure that I can focus on the best option(s) I have and so that my passengers are less likely to feel terrified and learn from the experience. Generally, posting tips about safe driving on social media may not always reach a willing audience. Instead, I think a good way is to demonstrate it in the way I drive. For instance, when there is a lot of slow traffic, I always try to let those who need to get on the main road in. Additionally, slowing down to let merging cars into my lane or letting faster cars pass me. Sometimes, a good deed from one person can encourage others to do the same—especially your passengers. It's one thing to talk about doing something right, but it’s another thing to practice and show others that you are true to your standards.