Safe Driving Essentials

Driver education training is very important in reducing the number of driving deaths. It is a basic fundamental need that all new drivers should attend prior to becoming a driver. A basic driver’s education course can get a new driver comfortable and acclimated to the basic operations of a vehicle. No vehicle make or model is set up the same. It is important to know where all the buttons, knobs, and levers are and how they work. It is important to make sure there are no vehicle defects that can impair a driver’s ability to drive safely. The physical driving portion of driver’s education will give a new driver the basic understandings of how a vehicle operates on the road, how to control the vehicle, and the different maneuvers it takes to safely operate a vehicle. A driver education course will allow the driver to operate a vehicle during different driving experiences such as different times of day, roadway situations (interstate, neighborhood, parking lot, gravel, etc), or weather conditions (wind, rain, snow, etc.).

Steps can be taken to reduce the number of driving deaths. A driver should not be distracted by external influences (cell phones, excessive music, eating, dressing /makeup application). A driver should remove all distractions so that their attention remains on the roadway. Texting, internet browsing, map finding, and phone number dialing all require a driver to take their eyes off the roadway. Driving conditions can change in an instant. A driver should drive with a defensive mindset. The driver should constantly be looking out for other drivers who are driving aggressively or negligently, pedestrians, or hazards up ahead. Finally, a driver should be familiar with their own vehicle. A driver should know how all basic operations of the vehicle work from being able to activate the hazard lights to knowing how to perform basic vehicle maintenance.

I was in a minor accident in my high school parking lot. I was attempting to back out of a parking spot in a very busy parking lot. There was a lot of traffic passing back and forth behind me. Another driver in the parking lot waved me on to back up. I did not use my own senses to look for traffic behind me. Unfortunately, I backed into a passing vehicle. I learned to always be sure myself that it is safe to proceed into a lane of traffic.

I can continue to be a safer driver by being attentive to the roadway the entire time I am in physical control of a vehicle. I will remove distractions that might tempt me to take my attention off the road. I will always drive in a defensive manner so I am prepared for the unknown. I will continue to make sure to the best of my ability that the vehicle I drive is in a safe operating condition. As a passenger in a vehicle, I will insist that my driver does the same or I will refuse to ride with them.