With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility

Morgan 1

With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility

Driving is a privilege, not a right. Some vehicles weigh tons of pounds, and most of them travel at speeds up to 100 miles per hour. The luxury of owning these powerful vehicles comes with the exceedingly important responsibility of maintaining them and learning how to operate them safely. Drivers ed teaches prospective drivers how to operate cars safely on the road, how to recognize the many situations drivers will encounter while on the road, and how to act accordingly in order to prevent injury or loss of life. By taking the time to learn the ins and outs of our vehicles and the rules of the road we can keep drivers safe.

I believe that every driver should make it a habit of going through a safety-mental-checklist every time they enter a vehicle to drive. They should: buckle their seatbelts, check and ensure mirrors are at the appropriate angles, adjust the driver’s seat so it is in a comfortable position, eliminate all distractions, and make sure the destination is known. By going through these steps before driving, drivers will become more focused and comfortable; they will make better decisions on the road and will not drive with haste. I also believe that some vehicle manufacturers could add some features that make it impossible to drive dangerously: an automatic do-not-disturb mode for all phones that enter the car and headlights that turn on automatically with the use of windshield wipers. (Many drivers fail to turn on headlights in the rain, making them harder to spot.) With these added safety features and the safety-mental-checklist, drivers will be safer on the road.

Unfortunately, I have been in a car accident. It was a rear-end accident last year, and the driver was under the influence. One of the vehicles was totaled but no one was hurt. This experience was nerve-wracking. I hold it close in my heart because it serves as a reminder that substances and cars do not mix. Therefore, I steer clear from substances; and make sure those around me do the same. Driving is already dangerous, let alone under the driving under the influence.

As a college student, I enjoy listening to music. I listen to my favorite songs to cope with the stresses of living a college lifestyle. Since I cannot use my headphones while driving, I plug my phone into my car’s auxiliary port to listen to music. I could limit or eliminate my music to become a more focused driver. I could also practice consciously and consistently using my mirrors to create a 360 degree field-of-view. This field of view would keep all surrounding cars in check while driving; keeping others and myself safe. By going through a safety-mental-checklist, proposing safety features to car manufacturers, taking drivers ed, and encouraging others to form safe driving habits, I can make the roads safe one driver at a time.