Name: Brendan Michael Williamson
From: Newbury Park, California
Votes: 0
Importance
of Drivers ed
Being
educated in the rules of the road is imperative to operating an
automobile. When driving, one must always understand that an
automobile is a potential weapon. A full 94% of motor-vehicle
accidents are caused by human error. In order to safely use roadways
and share the road with other drivers, there are many precautions
that must be taken to ensure the safety of everyone. Many necessary
attentive actions are constantly ignored, and careless mistakes like
forgetting to look for a cyclist when making a right turn, or
neglecting to check the blind spot can cause unexpected tragedies. A
numerous amount of accidents could be easily avoided, should every
driver on the road understand and practice good driving techniques
and pay close attention to all objects and other drivers around them.
There
are many steps that could be taken to reduce the amount of
accident-related deaths. The most obvious step to be taken would be
to just slow down. Being late or unprepared constantly makes people
feel rushed and impatient. When people feel rushed, they might drive
faster than they usually do. It is very easy to avoid looking at the
speedometer when rushed, which can lead to accidental speeding.
Regardless, speeding is speeding, and it is dangerous, especially in
school zones or residentials. Another step that can be taken is to
avoid driving when in a bad mood. Anger is a strong emotion that does
not pair well with a moving mass of metal weighing several tons. When
agitated, angry, annoyed, or any sort of overwhelming emotion,
driving is not safe as many safety precautions, as well as the speed
limit, will often be ignored. It is a much safer option to take a
minute, or maybe a few, to cool down and get into the proper
conscientious mindspace that is necessary for safe driving. One more
step to be taken is to avoid driving when suffering from a lack of
sleep. Being deprived of the proper amount of sleep and driving is
almost as dangerous as driving intoxicated, as vision is impaired,
reaction time is slowed, and cognitive ability is reduced. Driving an
automobile requires observant and mindful handling along with
comprehensible knowledge of the rules of the road.
Being
in a car accident is a very traumatic experience. Many people who
survive car accidents not only sustain serious injuries, but some
suffer mental injuries that can be harder to fix than a broken bone.
Car accidents can cause PTSD(post-traumatic stress disorder) which
can severely complicate life. While being in a car accident is a
treacherous and terrible experience, another worrisome experience is
being in the car with someone who is driving irresponsibly. Whether
it be someone who is emotionally disheveled, intoxicated, or
exhausted, the danger and stress is all the same. Watching them
quickly surpass the speed limit, or carelessly change lanes with no
regard for the drivers around them makes passengers uneasy and
worried for what is to come. Expecting to end up on the side of the
road with first responders arriving at the scene is an awful
nerve-racking feeling, and drivers should always consider the safety
of the people around them, both in their vehicle and surrounding it.
There
are many small things to consider working on in order to become a
safer driver, and to prompt other drivers to do the same. For one,
the use of turn signals/blinkers is extremely important. Many
drivers(at least in California) neglect this important action, and
cause accidents that could have been prevented with the flick of a
finger. It is essential for drivers to indicate what they intend to
do next, whether turning, merging, or exiting, in order for other
drivers to react safely. What is more annoying getting cut off with
no warning? Consideration to others on the road should be prioritized
more than it is now. Another step to take toward promoting safe and
responsible driving is to drive slower in general. Going slower means
less time is needed to bring the vehicle to a stop, which can prevent
accidents, and less wear is done on the brake pads. It also leaves
more time to react to unexpected situations or obstacles. To top it
all off, driving slower saves gas, and reduces chances of being
pulled over. One thing to keep in mind when driving is that arriving
at the destination safely is always more important than arriving a
few minutes earlier.
