The Imprtance of a Safe and Educated Driver Behind the Wheel

I will forever cherish the relationship I have with my uncle. While the stories he has shared with me are not always positive, they have taught me the importance of being responsible and safe, especially behind the wheel of a car. My nana often jokes that my uncle has nine lives because he has used several of them surviving several car and motorcycle accidents in his lifetime. Listening to my uncle tell his stories helped me realize that we should never take for granted the privilege of driving. As a young driver, his stories have inspired me to be a safe driver and know the rules of the road. 

 

Driving a car is a privilege, not a right. The moment you put the key in the ignition, you are operating a vehicle that can become deadly if not used appropriately. This can impact the lives of everyone around you at any given moment. This is why the law requires drivers to be 16 years of age and undergo driver’s training. The responsibility of being a driver requires knowledge of driving laws, good judgment, being aware of surroundings and the maturity to protect those around you. It is essential to understand that every decision made behind the wheel has consequences and impacts lives.

 

The top three causes of car accidents are speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving. It is extremely important to understand your driver’s training thoroughly and learn how to drive safely to prevent an accident. Education and experience are the most powerful resources that a driver can have when they get behind the wheel of a motorized vehicle.

 

Safety behind the wheel of a vehicle is important because you need to understand the speed limits, traffic signs, driving laws and what can cause distracted or impaired driving. This includes answering a text, drinking, or taking your eyes off the road. Some components of safe driving are situational awareness and focus. You must pay attention to both your surroundings as well as recognize when you are not in the condition to drive such as being impaired from severe illness, tired from a long day, or when you are under the influence of a substance such as alcohol or drugs. The focus of a driver while in the driver’s seat is the most important step to safe driving.

 

Drivers can significantly reduce their risk of an accident by making smart, simple and consistent choices while driving. These choices include: following speed limits, not driving while impaired, keeping the attention on the road, and planning ahead to avoid distraction. There are simple steps a driver can take to avoid the pitfalls of distracted driving such as setting your phone to ‘Do Not Disturb’ before starting the ignition, entering directions into the car GPS before driving to your destination, watching the speed limit and avoiding the temptation to take on other tasks while driving that would jeopardize taking your eyes off the road. By following these simple steps, a driver can make a large impact toward road safety and saving lives.

 

In addition to all of this, being a safe driver requires that you adapt to the environmental elements around you such as rain, snow, fog and ice. These elements require different actions such as driving speeds, maintaining larger distances between cars and making slow stops. This also comes with defensive driving which allows a driver to anticipate mistakes of others so you can avoid your own. By recognizing what is needed in a given situation, you can save your life and those around you.

 

The education and experiences that a driver receives throughout their journey is a lifelong process built from the first driver training, experiences behind the wheel, and making responsible decisions. These experiences that a driver receives builds the necessary skills to become a confident and safe driver. Safe driving protects families, emergency responders, pedestrians on the road and even cyclists. It is vital that everyone respects the laws, practicing defensive driving techniques, and that each driver contributes to making the road a safe place by being educated and driving safely.

 

More important than that, I believe that by being a safe driver is also a reflection of your character as a person. By being a safe driver, you demonstrate respect for your passengers, other drivers on the road, pedestrians and everyone that trusts that those on the road are making responsible decisions. Every time I get behind the wheel, I want the choices that I make to be a reflection of the lessons that I have learned through driver’s training and my uncle’s experiences to continue my commitment to protecting others.

 

This process takes hard work, focus and determination. Accidents can happen in a moment’s notice but can be prevented by respecting the laws, practicing defensive driving techniques, and having an awareness of your environment. As I move into the next stage of my life, I am committed to making safe choices every time I get behind the wheel to protect myself and all those around me.