When I was little, I would get dropped off and picked up from school everyday by my father, who I didn't understand at the time was a very irresponsible driver. I used to become motion sick on long drives. One time, when my whole family was on our way to a theme park, I began to feel very off. As soon as we parked, I threw open the door and practically stumbled out of the car. Then I promptly deposited my breakfast onto the yellow line between our car and the next. As I got older, I began to notice that perhaps my body wasn’t the problem, rather, it was my father’s driving habits. At stop signs in our town, he would barely pause. He would become distracted and begin to swerve on highways, even though he was under no alcoholic influence. I got used to other drivers beeping at our car, and flipping us off. My friends frequently declined rides home from my family, since my father’s driving upset their stomach. I felt embarrassed and a little angry. When I turned 16, I made a vow to myself. I was never going to become the kind of driver who made my passengers feel uncomfortable or embarrassed to be in my car. I picked up my little permit test practice booklet and began to study. Whenever I had free time–lunch, study hall, and the boring wait between the end of school and when my father inevitably came to pick me up, I’d read a page or two. I passed my permit test with flying colors. However, it wasn’t long before I heard gossip from fellow students about the test. They weren’t actually reading the pamphlets. They just memorized the questions on online practice tests, and managed to pass.
This thought disturbed me. Of course I understand that not all students are good test takers, and this kind of thing happens in school all of the time. But something about it didn’t seem right to me. This wasn’t about algebra, which a lot of people will never use in their careers. This was driving. This was something these kids were going to do for the rest of their lives. This was something that had claimed so many lives before because of irresponsibility. And they weren’t even reading the pamphlet. Driver education is essential. People need more than words on a page or a single 5 hour class. They need to see and understand traffic laws and patterns, so that in an emergency, they are well equipped. When I drive, my father often criticizes me for being too timid and considerate of other drivers. But I want to treat the road as a safe place, not something to be rushed through. Driving can be freeing, and exhilarating, but I can neve forget that I am a little misfortune away from the hospital.
Unfortunately, as drivers, people can’t account for the behavior of others. My sister’s teacher passed away years ago due to an incident where she was completely faultless. A truck in front of her had improperly tied baggage in its rear, and it broke off and smashed through her windshield. Her two children were also in the car, and passed away. When I was a kid, we ran a special event for her at my school. As her name was Mrs. Miles, we ran mile laps around the school in her honor. Sometimes, on the ride home, we pass the tree planted in her memorial, and I am reminded of her story. Those times are when I recall that driving is more than taking someone place to place. Every time I sit in the driver’s seat, I am putting my life into my hands. So why would I want to enter the driving world uneducated or ignorant? I want to protect myself as well as I possibly can.
I personally believe that the problem lies in routine. My dad has never corrected his habits because he has no motivation to. As far as he can tell, his driving is very effective. After all, he gets me to school and himself to work every day. Nevermind all the scratches and dents in the side of our little, wailing Nissan. Nevermind that our muffler makes the most appalling noises. Nevermind that my English teacher once saw our car and pointed out that a headlight was broken. Once people get a driver's license, they think they are perfect drivers. They think they never have to freshen up on the rules of the road. It’s just too much effort, they say. But if it’s a matter of life and death, is it really that much effort?
Driving responsibly comes down to one thing: how willing are people to protect their own lives? How much inconvenience is worth a person’s life? I say that I don’t care how much effort it takes, I want to feel secure and comfortable in my own knowledge.