Navigating Chaos and Choosing Safety

Most people assume that driver education happens between the pages of a driver’s manual in a quiet classroom, between a student and a parent. As I have grown up, I have come to realize that there is more to driving than just turning 16, getting a permit, and a few months later completing driver’s education and getting a driver’s license. The reality of driving is that every time you get in a car, you are not only a passenger or driver, but also responsible for the lives of the people around you. In addition to the lives of people around you, the responsibility of a driver is also to safely operate a vehicle that could be used for transportation to and from school, work, or spending time with family and friends. If a vehicle is used carelessly, it can drastically change the lives of others in a matter of seconds. Driver education should not only allow people to gain the knowledge necessary to pass a test to receive a permit and a driver’s license, but also teach good and responsible drivers how to make good choices to avoid potentially dangerous situations.

Growing up, I got to experience driving in one of the craziest cities in the world- Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. The city is always in motion and contains extremely close passing on both sides of the road from cars and motorbikes. This has opened my eyes to how quickly a negative situation can occur on the road and how one negative decision by a driver can have a large effect on many people in a family and cause lots of pain and distress. Recently, I was the victim of a rear-end collision by an intoxicated driver while driving my family to dinner. My car sustained damage from the accident, and my family and I spent hours at the hospital that night receiving multiple checks. Luckily for my family and me, nobody was seriously hurt in the accident. However, that night opened my eyes to how very dangerous it is to drive while intoxicated and how one poor decision by a drunk driver can have such a large effect on a family of many.

However, even when I got my license and started driving, I got into a serious accident. I was pulling into a parking lot on my way to work. I slowly pulled into a space, gave right of way to other cars already in the lot, and pulled into a space. Another car entered the lot at the same time that I did. The man was trying to clock in at work on time, and he was driving in the lot at a fast pace. He failed to give me the right of way as I was pulling into my space, and he T-boned my car. The impact was so severe that my car was totaled. Luckily, I was physically fine in the accident. It just showed me that even if a person is a good, safe driver, there is no guarantee that other drivers on the road will be driving safely. Many people on the road are not aware of how to drive safely.

My experiences on the road have given me a fresh perspective on road safety. The chaotic traffic in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam is unlike anything in the US. However, the same kinds of irresponsible behavior exist on the roads here. Safe driving is not a passive activity; it requires constant attention to the actions of other road users. Learning to be a good defensive driver is one of the most important skills that any driver can learn. A good defensive driver can anticipate the actions of other drivers and react to them safely. In addition to anticipating the actions of other drivers, a good defensive driver is constantly aware of their surroundings. This means that they can remain alert and react to any situation, even in one that appears completely safe, such as when pulling into a parking lot. A good defensive driver is also able to resist distractions while driving. These can include reading a text message or listening to music. The only thing a driver can control while on the road is their ability to react safely to the actions of other drivers. As a result, it is very important to be constantly aware of the actions of other road users.

One of the largest problems with road safety today is the lack of continued driver education. Most states require a very small amount of education before a person can receive a driver’s license. After a person receives their license, they believe that they have all of the knowledge needed to operate a vehicle on public roads safely. A driver’s license is not a license to drive for the rest of your life. A driver’s license is simply a permit to learn how to operate a vehicle on public roads safely. To become a truly safe driver, a person must continue to learn throughout their life. Required refresher courses can teach a driver the latest in traffic laws as well as the latest in defensive driving. Because of the constant changes in traffic laws and the constant flow of new drivers on the road, there is always more to learn. A safe driver is constantly aware of the road and of all of the other people that are driving on it.

Another serious problem on the road today is distracted driving. It takes only a second to read a text message, change a song on your CD player, or read a message on your smartphone. Put your phone in your bag or purse before you get into your car, keep your eyes on the road, and stay alert. The last thing you want to do is be involved in an accident because you were distracted while driving. The second serious problem on the road today is speeding. No matter what time of day it is, no matter how early you have to get up in the morning to go to work, there is no need to speed to arrive on time. Speeding to save two minutes of your life can cause serious injury or even death. I know this firsthand because of the accident I was involved in a few years ago. The other driver was not paying attention while driving behind me and tried to pass me on the right. He failed to stop at a red light and hit the front of my car. The car was totaled, but I was shaken up. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

Today, as an older and wiser man, I am always trying to be a good example to the young men that I know. I always wear my seatbelt, put my phone away before I get into the car, drive at the speed limit, and never drive while impaired. If I am a passenger and someone is driving recklessly, I remind them that they are responsible for their own safety and the safety of others on the road.

As a future healthcare provider, I plan to lead a life of safe driving practices to prevent as many injuries and accidents as possible. As a sophomore at the University of Louisville, I am currently seeking a Bachelor’s degree in a science-related field. After completing my undergraduate studies, I plan to apply to a diagnostic medical sonography program to become a healthcare provider. Every injury that is not caused by an accident is one less patient in a trauma ward, one less family hearing devastating news, and one more person returning to their loved ones.

Traffic fatality statistics get lost in the shuffle of current events, but every number can be the life of a real person with real family members and friends. I believe that the majority of potential traffic incidents can be prevented by well-educated drivers making good choices. I have been blessed to survive 2 serious incidents. Each time I can return to my family unscathed is a good day, and I greatly appreciate the fragility of life. Safety is a choice, and by paying attention to our actions, driving below the posted speed limit, and looking out for the safety of others on the road, we can make a difference, saving lives one good decision at a time.