Driving In The Margins

A busted door, twisted metal, flesh and bone. Innocent lives lost, taken in an instant. The culprit? A glance at a phone, a split-second distraction, so miniscule, yet so impactful. How could this have been prevented? An extra glance to the left, a split-second look at the mirror. Equally miniscule, yet equally as impactful.

Driver’s Ed, at its core, is an introduction to safe driving. Drivers Ed introduces all the basic parts of driving in a cohesive, and digestible manner. The course aims to not only provide the knowledge necessary to be a good, and safe driver, but aims also to instill the small, life saving habits in drivers, such as an extra look in the mirror, or paying more attention to the surroundings, and noticing what the other drivers on the road are doing, and acting accordingly. 

Developing simple rules and habits for driving is the easiest way to reduce injuries and fatalities on the road. Think to yourself: Is it safe? Is anyone around me? Are the others around me being safe? Could this put others in harm's way? Am I willing to accept the consequences if this goes wrong?  As you continue to ask these questions to yourself when you drive, they will eventually become natural, making you a safer driver.

My experiences with irresponsible driving are most often with close friends. Driving in our own hometown. When people get comfortable with their surroundings, they often begin to become complacent, which leads to common, beginner-level mistakes. Forgetting to check the mirrors when slowing down, or switching lanes or pulling into the driveway. No matter where someone is, the extra steps toward safety should always be taken. Most accidents take place on rural, two-lane roads. People drive much less safely in comfortable surroundings, which leads to dangerous and deadly situations.

Being a safe driver not only means educating others, but being especially mindful of your own driving habits. Making sure I follow the steps and habits I listed in the above writing, as well as making sure to not only tell others about my experiences, and educating them about rules and habits. Calling out unsafe behavior when I recognize it, and being able to recognize whenever I slack off on the rules I listed for myself and everyone else.

When driving in any situation, the safety of yourself should be your first priority. Many of the accidents that happen today could be easily prevented, if not for small, tiny distractions, that seem mundane in the moment, but lead to horrifying and tragic situations. However, making small rules and habits for you to follow can prevent these accidents. The rules are simple and easy, and are just as impactful when on the road as being distracted by a phone buzz or otherwise. Drivers Ed sets up the building blocks for these habits to take place, but ultimately, it is up to the drivers themselves. So remember, when driving, victory is in the margins.