In The Driver’s Seat

Paige Johnson

In The Driver’s Seat

Drivers ed is critical to ensure that the roads have the safest drivers possible. In my own experience with drivers ed class, I learned the importance of becoming a safe driver, how to be a safe driver, and the potential consequences of not being a safe driver. The stories I heard in the class—from guest speakers, documentaries, my teacher and other classmates—are stories I often look back on when making a decision while driving. Should I eat this sandwich I just bought on the way home? Or would it be safer to wait for the 10 minutes it takes to reach home? Should I tell my friend to buckle up? Or should I let them make their own decisions? As a driver, you are forced to make decisions all the time, and it is my time in drivers ed class that—to this day—remind me of the consequences that can result from not making the safe decision. Drivers ed provides soon-to-be drivers with the tools and knowledge to make educated and insightful decisions in order for them to be the safest drivers possible.

Choosing to control the controllables is the first step to reducing the number of deaths related to driving. Many deaths that occur as a result of driving are due to little things, or controllables, that are within our control as drivers. One common distraction, especially for teenagers, is choosing and changing music while driving. Heading to school, practice, or driving around with friends, it is always fun to jam out to your favorite songs. However, this often means reaching for your phone and scrolling through a playlist, taking your attention away from the road, and putting yourself and others at risk. Instead, create a playlist before you leave or choose up “Up Next” songs to start playing before you change your gear to drive. Choosing to control the controllables will make each individual safer drivers ultimately increasing the safety as a whole and reducing the number of lives we lose related to driving.

I fortunately have not experienced a life altering or tragic car accident. However, I was once in a minor car accident that provided me insight on how life threatening larger accidents can be. In my experience, I was rear ended at a stoplight when the person stopped behind me took off to soon. Even though the driver had barely pressed on the gas, the SUV overpowered my small Honda Civic, sending my head jolting forward. This small accident required a few weeks of chiropractor visits before I was feeling good as new again. My experience gave me perspective on how dangerous the consequences of larger accidents could be. Accidents on the interstate for example, would likely have much more serious consequences than accidents of a smaller scale. Realizing the effect of such a small accident, really put into perspective how important it is to drive safely and educated to protect the lives of others.