The importance of being a safe and educated driver is for the sole purpose of me, my passengers, and other drivers and passengers on the road. Whenever I’m walking up to get in my car, I always peek in the back because you never know if someone has gotten into your car. Watching tv shows and movies has definitely encouraged me to do this because when I’m watching something and someone gets in their car and they get attacked by someone in the backseat, it makes me realize how a lot of people aren’t aware of their surroundings. People are also just crazy and that’s why it’s important to carry pepper spray, a taser, or something that allows you to protect and defend yourself.
It’s important to obey traffic rules so the first thing I do is put my seatbelt on as soon as I sit in the car. While driving it’s important to be aware of traffic signals, signs, your passengers, other cars, and construction to ensure safety. Last christmas, i asked my parents if i could get carplay installed in my car, mainly to look at the gps on my screen instead of my phone because personally, it’s a better visual. This limits me from even getting on my phone as well because that would be a distraction. It helps me stay focused on the road and to be more aware of what’s around me. I like to be alert of other drivers because as most people would say: “people can’t drive.” Other drivers may make mistakes or are simply just driving crazy and it’s important to react to this accordingly and I say this because recently, my best friend was driving and we came to a stop at a red light. The lane beside us had a turning green light that just changed. My best friend was looking at their light and not hers so she eased off the brakes and started pressing the gas. I immediately yelled her name because she almost hit a car in front of us from the opposite direction that was turning. Thankfully, no accident happened but this just goes to show that not only should the driver be alert, but the passengers should be as well.
It’s important to regularly check outside and inside the vehicle, keep maintenance on the vehicle, and to have quality tires because if the vehicle isn’t in good working conditions, it won’t be a safe drive, especially in certain weather conditions. Driving in weather conditions is another topic of safety. When it’s raining outside and I slightly hydroplane, it humbles me every time because it can always end up bad. I can drive in a little rain but I rather not when it’s pouring really bad. I will delay anything I have to do until it stops or slows down because I do not want to end up in an accident. Where I’m from, it doesn’t really snow, so rain and slight fog is mainly the only weather that I've experienced driving in. One specific time, I drove into the worst fog you could probably ever drive in for a good 15-20 minutes. At some points it would be slight fog and I could see the road better but that would only last for 10 seconds, at other points I could barely see and I had to drive so slow until it was all clear again.
Driving the speed limit is very important because it’s responsible and safe driving for myself, others, and for legal reasons. I got my first speeding ticket last year and honestly I didn’t even realize I was speeding. I was in a good mood, listening and singing to my music. I was just a happy college student who was happy to be going home for Christmas break… but no. I got a speeding ticket. Getting this ticket definitely made me learn from my consequences and now I often check my speedometer, and I mean very often because sometimes I do catch myself going a little over the speed limit because sometimes going the speed limit feels so slow but, It’s important for not just me but for everyone to have this awareness of paying attention to your driving.
On another hand, I like to respect other drivers in front of me. I always make sure there’s a good amount of space between me and the driver in front of me because you never know if something could quickly happen causing them to slam on their breaks. If i’m too close to them and they slam on their breaks, i most likely will rear end them. I wish other drivers thought like this because it’s annoying when someone behind me is all on my tail. I also respect pedestrians and cyclists because they would be at a higher risk of injury or fatality in an accident. I always make sure I go under the speed limit and move around them, if safe to do so, to leave enough space between my car and them.
In conclusion, being an educated and safe driver takes execution. Keeping up with the latest news, being aware, and implementing safe behaviors all contribute to make roads safer for everyone. Prioritize awareness at all times, and adjust your driving to the road conditions and weather. Speed limits are set in order to increase road safety; they’re not unjust. One essential component of being a responsible and considerate driver is abiding by them. Always modify your speed in accordance with the posted limits, the state of the road, and the weather.