The Path to Becoming a Safer and Better Driver

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Christopher Smith
It is not a secret that driving is one of the many leading causes of death in the United States. Distracted and drunk driving are included concerning the risky patterns many drivers follow. Many may consider driving to be routine or even “mindless”, although it is clear the impact driving can have on one’s community and/or environment. Attending a driver’s education course can significantly reduce the danger that comes from an individual driving. Driver education offers facts and figures regarding cognitive, visual, and manual distractions that a driver may face while on the road. These distractions are discussing in these courses and they display many videos to the students that demonstrate the impact these distractions may have on one’s life and community.
In order to reduce the number of deaths related to driving, there are several steps each potential driver should take part in. For example, every school should offer drivers education courses and every student should attend them before they receive their license. These programs offer skills and knowledge that the drivers will need to keep them and their passengers safe. Another step to reduce the impactful deaths from driving include expanding (distracted) driving laws such as the no-texting ban. Federal and state governments can go as far as banning any hand-held devices, as they are a distraction to the driver and others on the road. Driver education courses and expanding driving laws should be offered throughout the states in this nation and can significantly reduce the dangerous impact driving has.
Recently, an experience I have faced was while I was with one of my closest friends driving on the West Virginia backroads. My friend and I were driving from his house to wrestling practice – which is about a 45 minute commute – attempting to make it to practice on time. The day consisted of a lot of rain and we were trying to make about 5 minutes of our time to arrive on time to practice. As we were coming to the end of our drive, we came upon a sharp turn in the road as we were speeding. I warned to my friend that he should slow down because the turn is very sharp. He then began to slow down, but it just was not soon enough as we hit the sharp turn, we began to hydroplane and went off the road, nearly hitting a tree and pole. Luckily, my friend could get us back on the road before we hit the pole and/or tree. Due to this experience, I have been more cautious, especially when driving in the rain or coming upon sharp turns.
For me to become a better and safer driver, I can continue to be cautious on the roads. It is important that I remain in control of the car, maintain my line, read the traffics signs, and get to know my car before taking long commutes. I can help others by setting an example and even giving suggestions regarding their driving or collective driving. Following through with these steps will allow for me along with others to become a safer and better driver.