Driving Education

Every time someone is on the wheel, they also take a responsibility that goes much further than just getting to their destination. Driving also means sharing the space with hundreds of people, people that their lives depend, to a certain point, in the choices that every driver takes. For that reason, I consider that Driving education does not only consists in learning transit rules to approve an exam, but in developing a cultural responsibility, respect, and prevention. When we understand that our decisions can protect or risk other people's lives, driving stops being a normal activity to become a compromise with community. Driving education plays a fundamental role in the reduction of deaths related to automobile accidents because it prepares drivers to take better decisions before confronting risky situations. Many collisions do not occur for the lack of ability to control de vehicle, but for the bad decisions: driving under the effect of alcohol or drugs, ignoring transit signals or allowing drowsiness to affect the reaction capacity. An adequate education does not only teaches what to do, but also why does every rule exists and which can be the consequences for ignoring it. Reducing the number of deaths on streets require a combination of education, individual responsibility, and social compromise. It is important that driving education programs do not limit just to taught driving techniques, but also explain how does the human judgement functions, the perception of risk and the taking of decisions under pressure. Likewise, awareness campaigns, compliance with traffic laws, and the improvement of driving infrastructure can contribute significantly to decrease accidents. Although, no effort will be enough if no driver assumes their personal responsibility to act with caution. Fortunately, I have not been involved in fatal automobile accidents. Although, I have observed irresponsible conducts both while driving and as a passenger, seeing strangers or even family members being irresponsible. It is very common to see people using their phones while driving, exceeding speed limits, or taking impulsive decisions for impatience only to be a minute earlier to their destinations. These situations have made me comprehend that it only takes a moment of not being careful to have permanent consequences for many families. It also reminds me that driving safely does not only protects my life, but also other people's lives that I will never get to know. These experiences have strengthen a philosophy that I try to apply to every aspect of my life: responsibility does not only consists on avoiding harm, but actually in acting in a way that contributes to others well being. That same thinking guides my interests for science and my passion to dedicate into genetic engineering research. I always believed that the best way to help is to prevent problems before they occur, instead of limiting to fight their consequences. In the same way that preventive medicine can help prevent diseases, driving education can prevent tragedies that should never occur. As a driver, my compromise is to continue developing safe habits. This includes respecting speed limits, avoiding distraction while driving, never driving under the influence of alcohol or any substance that can alter my capacity of reaction, and make sure to rest enough before doing long trips. I also consider important to plan my trips with anticipation to reduce stress and the impulse that many times cause dangerous decisions. Besides improving as a driver, I believe that we all can influence positively on those around us, doesn't matter whether it is a friend or a stranger. When we see a friend that tries do drive after having consumed alcohol, using their phone while driving, or acting in a reckless way, staying silent is also a decision. Simple chats, giving a good example and reminding the importance of driving with responsibility can make a difference. In some occasions, prevention begins with having the nerves to say something before a tragedy occurs. In the last instance, I consider that driving safety reflect the type of society that we want to build. A safe community does not only depends on more strict laws, but also that the population comprehend that their actions affect others. Every responsible decision behind the wheel represents an opportunity to protect a life. That is the reason for I consider that driving education is so important: because it does not only teaches to drive a car, but also to exert a responsibility towards the community. If everyone understood that driving implies caring for others life's as much as yours, roads would be much safer places for everyone.