In The Drivers Seat

 

     Becoming a new driver can be both exciting and scary at the same time.  When operating a vehicle, you must recognize that this is a serious and important task that comes with considerable responsibility. One way to ease the anxiety and learn the rules of the road is to take driver education courses.  These courses help drivers become aware of the factors that result in safe driving. When a person is knowledgeable about how to handle a vehicle, how to read road signs and signals, and how to watch out for the actions of other drivers, it helps reduce driving accidents and deaths.

     For me, a primary point of importance as a new driver is driving while impaired.  When someone is impaired while driving, it makes that person and everyone around them unsafe. The person is distracted while driving on the road. Several things can become distractions at any given time, such as being deep in thought about another matter, having a heated argument and pulling off, being drowsy or sleepy, being intoxicated and the worst, texting while driving, are all serious driving infractions. Some people tend to underestimate what can happen because of these actions. It is for these reasons that it is important to keep your focus and emotions in control while driving.

     Additionally, it is essential to perform the relevant on-the-road evaluation checks before getting on the road to ensure the vehicle you are operating is functioning properly. These checks include checking the turn signals, windshield wipers, and ensuring that the side mirrors and rearview mirror are positioned where you can see. Also, it is important to know that sometimes there are blind spots, so over-the-shoulder checks are necessary. 

     While being aware and focused are critical to driving, other steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving include, but are not limited to, making sure your phone is on silent or do not disturb, not having the music too loud so you can hear emergency vehicles, and making sure you always buckle your seatbelt.  I have heard stories, involving both teen drivers and experienced drivers, where they make bad judgments thinking they have time to take a quick call or respond to a text message and it leads to a car crash. The best way to arrive at your destination safely is to avoid these things at all costs.

     Another serious consequence is jail time. Driving in areas that have a high volume of kids requires high levels of focus. There was an incident that I read about involving a young lady who was speeding in a residential area and unfortunately struck a little boy who was going after his ball in the street. Unfortunately, the little boy died and now two families are being negatively impacted due to this driver’s negligence.

     In my driver’s education course, there were things highlighted that I did not know about.  Now that I have taken this course, I appreciate the importance of knowing the right way to manage my judgment and decision-making while on the road. While in class, my instructor showed videos of students whose parents allowed a camera inside their cars. The students in those videos made many mistakes.  They ran red lights, were on their phones, didn’t check for right-of-way clearance, and were going entirely too fast. Another video example was of a girl going too fast on the highway and ending up paralyzed from the waist down. This was a huge eye-opener showing me that not only can you hurt others when driving irresponsibly, but you can equally hurt or even kill yourself.  To add, such incidents can be very expensive and can cause deep and long-lasting debt.  Both videos put me on high alert and quickly helped me realize that I did not want to be one of these examples.

     I personally commit to being a consistent advocate for road safety through both my actions and my influence on others. This begins with my own decision to never get behind the wheel distracted or way too excited, treating every drive with the gravity it deserves. I will influence my peers by initiating honest conversations about the risks I learned about in driver’s education. I will recommend alternatives when they’re in compromising situations. If necessary, I would suggest that they either get a designated driver or call for a ride share with Uber or Lyft. By modeling responsible behavior and refusing to be a passive bystander, I can help foster mutual accountability where making safe decisions is the standard for everyone in my friend group and community.