Every Mile is a Lesson

Most people treat driving as a mundane activity that doesn’t require much effort. In today’s age, it has become socially acceptable for everyone to get their driver’s license and save up on buying a car. I have noticed that now that I am in college, most if not all of my friends have their own cars making their lives significantly easier considering they don’t have to use public transportation and can get to places faster. But the truth is, getting your driver’s license and buying a car is much more meticulous than most people would think. It’s not just about flexing to your friends your new ride or taking out your friends on a night time stroll. It’s also about how your actions behind the wheel affect you and everyone else involved. 

I believe that a good driver’s education program can shape and help mold new drivers all around the world. In order to be a good driver you need to understand the risks and how your actions matter every second while you’re behind the wheel. New and experienced drivers must learn about distracted driving, drinking and driving, driving without wearing seatbelts and most importantly, not reacting when being provoked while on the road. To be a good driver means to be constantly anticipating what everyone else is going to do. Whether it’s other drivers or pedestrians. Safe drivers don't always just react, they think ahead. In order to do that you need to pay attention to where people are walking, notice traffic patterns, and observe other driver’s behavior on the street. If you are constantly anticipating and watching, you can react faster and save your life or somebody else’s. 

In addition, there are many ways to prevent driving related deaths. Governments should start implementing more traffic laws, improve road design, and increase fines for violations. I also think that schools should start educating students on driving and tips on staying safe both on and off the road. Perhaps a big reason why so many accidents happen yearly is because people don’t have access to the right education. People need to implement more community programs that teach younger teens about the responsibilities of driving so they can develop safe habits early on. This can help reduce risky behavior as they get older. Today, we are lucky to have the tools to limit reckless driving thanks to cameras on the road, cars that sense when your eyes are off the road, automatic braking and lane warnings. These things can make it easier for a driver to stay focused on the road ahead but can they influence someone to make wiser and safer decisions? Probably not. Drinking and driving is one of the leading causes of death on the road. Many people fail to understand that drinking can impair judgment, leading to risky decisions and careless mistakes. That’s why I believe the government should step in with much stricter guidelines and spread that awareness to young and experienced drivers of all ages. 

To be a safe driver means to keep your eyes on the road, follow the speed limit, stay buckled up, and refrain from alcohol while driving. I can encourage other drivers to do the same by setting that same example in front of my friends and family. Other ways to be safe on the road is to have vehicle check ups at least once a year to ensure that everything is working smoothly. You should also make sure that all tires are in good condition before driving and that all indicators are working. Sometimes people tend to ignore those things because they think it doesn’t matter, but the truth is, if you ignore the problem it will only get worse. In that case, safely pull over and inspect the car from all directions. If the problem persists, call for help. Don’t endanger your life for something that can be repaired promptly. 

I have never gotten into a car accident but I have seen enough people online lose their lives over unsafe driving. Enough to make me want to write this essay today. Watching how quickly an accident can change someone for life inspired me to be a better driver and understand that driving is a privilege that comes with responsibility. With the right education, laws and persistence we can decrease the number of deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents and influence more people to be safer on the road.