Safe Driving: Moderately Fast and a lot less Furious

“I’m just a girl.” I’ve heard these four words countless times when a friend hits a curb or makes silly mistakes while driving. We laugh and move on, but we tend to forget that those small seconds of careless driving could’ve cost us far more than just a few giggles. Let’s be honest with ourselves, as young people many of our “silly” habits behind the wheel are actually dangerous, not only to ourselves but to anyone who’s on the road. Safe driving is more than just following traffic laws, it's about honoring and protecting those around us. Each driver and passenger is someone’s child, partner, or friend. Every time a person is behind a wheel, they could be one miscalculated second from a life-altering accident when safe driving is not a priority. So this is our call to action, as young drivers, we must take responsibility for our risky behaviors and use the simple tools available to us to make roads safer. 

One of the most dangerous habits among teens and college students is distracted driving. These practices have become part of our everyday lives because of how routine they are. Tendencies like changing music, texting, eating, applying makeup, or grabbing something from our bags can feel normal because we see others do it all the time. Against our better judgment, we can become overly confident and assume nothing bad will happen. When we make these decisions, we are taking our attention away from the road and reducing our reaction time, even if it's only for a few seconds. Those small fragments of time may be seen as nothing, but those are the moments that matter the most because accidents happen quickly and unexpectedly. In contrast, a safe driver has self-control and is actively aware of their surroundings. A key responsibility of safe driving is identifying risky behaviors before they turn into real danger. Ask yourself, are you able to recognize these habits before you are behind the wheel? Awareness is the first step towards becoming a responsible driver. 

Now that we have identified our distracted driving habits, we can make practical changes and utilize tools to lower the chances of an accident. The first method is preparation. Instead of searching for songs in the middle of driving, create playlists or make a queue line up before starting the car. Another preparation you can make is checking the time and distance it takes to get to your destination. This prepares you to have enough time to get ready, eat, and do any other necessary tasks before driving. These small prep actions will allow you to focus on your drive and reduce the chances of car accidents. The second method is using tech tools. For example, setting up hands-free voice commands so drivers can focus on the road, while also getting what they need done. This can allow you to make calls, change songs, even ask questions like time or traffic conditions. Additionally, if you know you are prone to checking your phone on the drive, one of the most helpful tools is setting your device on Do Not Disturb, this prevents notifications from popping up and taking your attention away from the road. By applying these practical steps, young drivers like you and me can become more responsible behind the wheel. 

Besides driving distractions, another common risky habit among teens and college students is impatience on the road. More often than not, most accidents happen because of reckless tendencies like speeding, cutting people off, or making any rash decisions out of annoyance. We as young people fall under the false pretense that these actions are normal and that we can simply get away with them. But our inexperience heightens our emotions, causing us to be more prone to impulsive behaviors. The habit of always rushing leaves us vulnerable to extremely dangerous positions. For example, if you are constantly weaving through lanes, sooner or later you may miss your blind spot and hit someone when going at high speeds. The need to get somewhere as fast as possible is not worth the price of an accident. Conversely, a responsible driver understands that patience is a key role when on the road. Patience allows you to be aware and in control of impulsive instincts. Impatience might bring you to places faster, but patience can bring you home safely. 

So what can we do to overcome this risky habit? We practice defensive driving. We may be faced with road rage or aggressive drivers who put others in danger. Defensive driving is expecting the unexpected, don't assume others will follow the proper etiquette, be the one to prioritize safety. It may be irritating to let them get away with it, but the choice to not enforce the same behavior has the potential to save lives. Responsible drivers check for blind spots, follow traffic laws, keep safe distances, and are constantly aware of their surroundings. The more you practice defensive driving, the more you begin to think ahead and protect not only yourself but those around you. This form of driving allows you to gain control of your emotions and know what to do under stressful situations. You are not responsible for others’ actions, but you are responsible for your own. 

To conclude our journey through the importance of safe driving, take a moment to reflect on what you’ll do from now on behind the wheel. Whether you are already driving or getting ready to do so, when you get your license, you are presented with a commitment. It's the duty to be a responsible driver. Many lives have been lost when this vow is broken, it truly is this serious. Having the ability to drive is a privilege that not everyone has, people walk or use public transportation to get to places. In our modern-day society, where most tend to ignore the importance of safe driving, be the exception. Let's be the hidden heroes, the ones who are moderately fast and a lot less furious.