Driver education is imperative for everyone to acquire, as it not only teaches the basics of driving, but it also gives useful information on the statistics of deaths related to unsafe driving and car accidents. Students that attend driver education are usually given real life scenarios and shown videos that provide visual examples of the consequences that result from dangerous driving habits. The driving portion of driver education is equally as important, because if individuals don’t have the hands-on experience of being on the road, they have a higher chance of taking more risks and making bad decisions on the road from their lack of exposure to it, especially if they are young. Usually people who don’t have access to this education and are able to get their license don’t know specific rules of the road, might not understand certain signs besides the more basic ones, and might not know how to get themselves out of or prevent risky situations.
Younger people in particular should specifically be reminded to stay off their phones while driving and limit the amount of passengers depending on how many distractions they can cause. Parents and other adults around new drivers should give them space to grow and learn while on the road, but also give them advice on how to drive safely, like not blasting loud music and putting their phone away before they depart. Experienced drivers should never get too comfortable on the road either. Eating or drinking while driving, not stopping at stop signs, being on your phone while driving, not using turn signals, and speeding is still a common issue with a lot of drivers. I believe that addressing these bad habits more, whether this be from a passenger or advocate for safety on the road, and being transparent about how these simple things can risk the lives of yourself and others might incentivize people to be more conscientious of the choices they make on the road. Driving while under the influence is another very dangerous, but not uncommon, thing that people should be more aware of. If there is a possibility that someone might drink, they should either wait until the effects of the alcohol wear off or have a designated driver.
I myself have witnessed family members drive irresponsibly. They would not use their turn signals when switching lanes, or if they did, they would not check their mirrors or blind spots before switching. I’ve seen family members barely stop at stop signs or they would stop so far out that the sign wouldn’t matter at that point. Speeding has also been a problem with some of the members of my family, and some have even admitted to me that they have gotten tickets on multiple occasions. The biggest problem that I have noticed with other drivers is that they would be texting or on their phone in general while driving. One family member specifically would use their computer while driving consistently. Not only have they been driving for decades, but they would always admonish me whenever I made a mistake that wasn’t nearly as risky on the road, but they themselves actually had the most dangerous habits when driving. They ended up hitting someone as a result of being on their computer while behind the wheel. That was probably the most unsafe driving I have ever seen.
Witnessing a lot of people in my life drive unsafely, I have started holding myself to a certain standard when driving. I do not eat when I am on the road, and only drink when I am stopped at the traffic light. I put my phone away before I depart to my destination unless I need my device for directions, and even then, I turn my navigation system on before I begin to drive. I also ignore any notifications I get unless I am fully stopped at a stop light and I know I am able to respond quickly. If I am a passenger in someone else’s car, I have no problem pointing their bad driving habits out if I see them, and this is definitely not in a harsh way, but in a way where I am giving constructive criticism. I have also had no problem with changing the driver’s playlist or song for them while they are driving, and I have often used my own navigation system for them if we needed one last minute. Most of the drivers have been mostly accepting of my offerings and criticisms, while some others have listened but never took the effort to change or outright rejected my suggestions. No matter what response I get, that doesn’t deter me from taking the necessary steps to make the road safer.