Driving Safety

The main importance of Drivers education in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving, is to ensure there are competent drivers on the road. 

This is so important because of the way driving is in everyday lives. People have to drive for many different reasons. Some are making long trips everyday to work, others to school, and some for recreation. Either way there is almost always someone going somewhere at a given place and time on the road. This unfortunately means that there is always a possibility for an accident. It’s important to keep a reminder when driving that it is one of the most dangerous things a person can do. This mindset however, is not carried by every person before they drive. Many get on the road with bravado and belief that they come first on the road when their main mission should be getting from point A to point B safely. This is why the steps of firing and the manner of teaching it is very important. 

Once the proper steps of driving are learned and implanted in the initial steps of those learning to drive, there is an emphasized importance behind the safety of being on the road. At least, this rings true for my experience. I am 20 and have been driving for the past 4 years now. I recently completed my longest adventure of driving to Portland Oregon from the Bay Area California. 

On my way there I used my driving skills not to just keep myself in check but to be hyper aware of the way people around me were driving. It can be so easy and simple for another person to cause the smallest accident while driving. Keeping the mindset that I mentioned earlier about having the priority of driving getting from point A to B safely was the best thing I could do. 

Some steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving is using the phrase “see something say something”. This especially stands out with DUI’s. I am only 20 so I don't drink. In addition to this, I grew up in a household that never drank or had any types of drugs or alcohol that can impair someone. This made me very surprised at the reality of people going out to a wedding, party, or even another small event and driving back home under the influence. Even with laws and restrictions in place, drinking and driving has become much too common and accepted in today’s culture. Next time at an event or if you are leading it, call people out. Get a spreadsheet or tracker and list who will be the designated driver. I believe starting out with small changes such as this can make a major impact in our future when it comes to driving safety. 

This most recent car accident I have been in was due to a lack of knowledge. Both drivers were new and weren’t as aware of the mistakes they should be concerned about for other drivers. The driver hit the other car that had the right of way during a left hand turn. Fortunately everyone was okay in the end if this could be avoided with ensuring proper knowledge of driving and the regulations that pertain to it. Though I have never caused an accident, this was something I struggled with as a new driver. Driving from the suburbs to the cities, I see the left handed turns a lot more often and have to remember the difference in if I have the right of way or not. 

Another important facet about driving to keep in mind is that their are many different age groups on the road and people who all are taught to process emotions differently. Since younger people are new and have much less experience in life, we are more likely to be driving recklessly and dangerously, rather than the family of 5 thats just trying to get home after a soccer game. In addition, their should be more restrictions on the ability of a persons driving as they age. There should be more testing and checks to make sure they are healthy and fit for the road. 

This suggestion may not be appreciated by many but, I think having more routines tests on driving rules and regulations can be a proper reminder for the public and ways of driving we might forget once in a while due to where we live. In addition to stopping the norm of drinking and driving after social events and lastly, having mental checks on drivers to ensure their health for driving.