Driving is a part of everyday life alongside things like cooking, cleaning, and sleeping. It’s something that people will do at least once in their lifetime, if not multiple times each and every day. And just as you learn, practice, and improve the skills you use daily, such as cooking, driving is no different! Learning how to drive, and how to be a safe driver at that, is an important part of life. Drivers ed can help you develop the skills necessary to be a smart and safe driver. In drivers ed, you learn about the do’s and don’ts of driving, as well as the importance of being a good driver. They teach you how to drive, what you should do or look out for on the road (such as road signs), and how to do all of these things safely. All of these skills are necessary to be a good driver to protect both you, your passengers, and the people around you. If you can properly, safely, and skillfully drive, there is less risk of an accident occurring. And if others also learn how to do the same, there would be less risk of injury when on the road. Better drives are made through drivers ed and careful practice. And the more good drivers there are, the less accidents and driving-related deaths occur. That is why drivers ed is so important.
While being a safe and practiced driver is a good way to reduce driving-related deaths, there are other steps that can be taken to be more cautious. Being alert and aware is probably one of the most important steps you can take. Whether you are driving for a short period of time, or a long one, you must always actively be aware of what is going on around you. Always being alert and ready to act if necessary can be stressful on the mind and body. Doing an activity continuously for hours can take its toll on a person, and that’s why driving for long periods of time can be rough. On long car rides a driver’s brain can switch to “autopilot” where they drive automatically without actively thinking about what’s happening. During times like these it’s especially important to be alert and aware of your surroundings and actively thinking about what you’re doing. If need be, pull-over and take a break from driving or have a friend switch with you. Resting will let your mind relax so that when you continue driving, “autopilot” is switched off. This important practice can help keep you and others safe on the road.
People who drive safely aren’t guaranteed to not get into car accidents, however. While you might be driving safely, others might be driving irresponsibly. I personally haven’t seen my friends or family members driving irresponsibly. The closest my family has ever been to driving irresponsibly is when my dad speeds or drives too closely behind people. And while my dad is legally blind without his glasses, my family and I still trust him to drive us places because we know he is a good driver. We also know he would never drive without his glasses to keep us safe. One example I can give you to show how my dad is a responsible driver is the fact that anytime me and my siblings get into a vehicle, my dad always asks us if we have buckled our seatbelts. I’m seventeen and my younger sisters are also teenagers, and we would never be irresponsible enough to forget to buckle seatbelts! Nonetheless, he asks us everytime without fail.
This is just one step you can take to being a better and safer driver. Other small conscious steps you can take include not eating, drinking, or listening to music until you are an experienced driver. Young, inexperienced drivers who do these things have a higher likelihood to get into a car accident while on the road. Big steps you should take to becoming a good driver include taking drivers ed so you know all the rules of the road—such as who has right of way, the meaning of road signs, etc. Never drive impaired, never text and drive, and make sure to only use your phone hands-free, when you are stopped safely, or in the case of an emergency. Finally, remembering to be actively alert and aware of what’s going on at all times. Keeping these things in mind as you drive can help protect you and others who are on the road. And because driving is such a common occurrence in everyday life, learning to do it properly, skillfully, and safely is an important thing that all should know.