Safety in the Road

Sitting in the back seat while crying at the top of my lungs and yelling at my dad to lower the speed was and will always be one of the scariest moments of my life. It is one of the most vivid memories I have of being scared inside a car. It was only for few seconds that he increased the speed, but it was enough for me to think of the worst possible situations that this could lead. That night was only a scare, but it could have turn horribly if my dad had not realized how fast he was really going. He wasn’t texting or under the influence, he was simply in a rush to get us back home.

Being distracted, not following basic rules and being irresponsible could have gotten us in a different situation, however, remembering and knowing such guidelines quickly made my dad realize his mistake and got us home safely. Learning basic driving guidelines and rules which are set to minimize and prevent possible accidents are essential for any driver regardless of driving experience. Often, people tend to forget the most common and simple rules which can be dangerous and even fatal. First time drivers are required to learn such rules in order to acquire basic experience, but it is essential as they are going to be dealing with situations that can easily turn into life or death decisions. Drivers ed helps us understand why certain rules and regulations are put in place thus reducing the occurrence of accidents, mistakes and/ or situations that will endanger our lives or others. Experienced drivers can often feel like driving is second nature, but the truth is, driving is very unpredictable and one can never expect what will happen, we can only try to prevent it which is why revising and keeping oneself up to date with driving rules and guidelines can help reduce the number of fatal accidents. Furthermore, knowing the dangers of texting and driving, drinking and driving, not wearing a seatbelt, being under the influence of any substances and even being tired, upset or distracted can help reduce accidents and deaths related to driving.


Being a responsible and mature driver as well as being aware of one’s surroundings can go a long way reducing any possible tragedies given that we share the road with drivers of all ages and driving experiences. Personally, I believe one can be a better and safer driver by being a defensive driver rather than an aggressive one given that emotions which can help us make better and faster decisions to avoid accidents. Try to be a middle person for others who may want to irresponsibly get behind the wheel or are driving irresponsibly can help avoid driving accidents. Even educating others about dangers in the road and calling out with family and friends about not being responsible or making mistakes while behind the wheel in a respectful manner can help being safer on the road.