In The Driver's Seat: The Importance of Safe Driving

BY: Jillian Nance

Driving is not one of the highest causes of death in the United States. When experts say that, they are often referring to the people behind the wheel. Careless drivers are truly one of the highest causes of death in the US. Driving itself isn’t dangerous at all, it is the lack of education and experience behind the wheel that causes an unsafe driver. This is why drivers ed is necessary for every person who plans to go behind the wheel.

Drivers ed not only teaches the basics of driving, but a longer course can give a young driver experience behind the wheel in a safer, controlled environment. Many schools and DMVs provide a course for young students to obtain driving experience. The courses often come with a small fee, but this fee is worth it in the end so that a student can have a safer future. When a student takes these courses, or obtains better knowledge in other ways, they can help reduce fatalities. They will cause less accidents, and know how to avoid more accidents. Other knowledge could be a situation such as waiting at least 4 seconds after a traffic light turns green in case anyone attempts to speed through a yellow or red light.

I’ve never been in a car accident, but I have had personal experience with a near accident before. I was driving on a two way street, and a car attempted to pull across my lane into the opposite lane in heavily congested traffic. They overestimated how much room they truly had to pull into that lane, and stopped in the middle of my lane. This caused me to have to slam on my brakes, but I managed to stop less than 100 feet away from that car. If I hadn't stopped in time, I would of collided directly with their drivers door, which could have resulted in a fatality for either me or the person driving. This is a very scary thing that could have happened to anyone.

Steps that I can take to be a better driver include always knowing the speed limits on the roads that I am driving on, as well as checking in front, behind, and beside me while I’m driving. This can help prevent any accidents that are either my fault, or another person’s. Learning tips and tricks from older, more experienced drivers can also help heighten my driving awareness and safety on the roads. Overall, safer driving requires a driver knowing the basic rules of the road, as well as knowing specifics that can help them drive better.