Be Cool, Be Conscientious

BE COOL, BE CONSCIENTOUS

I was shocked when I learned from my parents that they did not have to complete a Driver’s Safety course before obtaining their driver’s permit. I am grateful it became law in New Jersey. Participating in the 6 hours of the course and taking advantage of 1 full year of practice driving with licensed drivers helped me to be an extremely conscientious driver on the road. I witness drivers on the road making mistakes that can be extremely harmful and I can’t help but feel they must have not received any basic driver education.

There are quite a few steps that can be taken to reduce the number of traffic accident deaths. Many are already in place including laws to enforce wearing seat belts and doubling fines for speeding in certain areas. Even car insurance companies are getting in providing monetary incentives to people who drive carefully. I think keeping the possible negative impacts of careless driving top of mind could be helpful in deterring drivers from ignoring the importance of conscientious driving. For example, it is only around prom time will we see crushed cars displayed to show the impacts of drunk driving. The number of drunk driving deaths during prom season has decreased but, before and after, drivers continue to speed, drive recklessly and make careless moves on the road.

I have seen my friends drive extremely irresponsibly from afar. I do not go into my friends’ cars as a passenger ever. They make fun of me for driving slowly and it doesn’t bother one bit. I understand the possible irreversible damage that can occur. From owing a very hefty fine, to hurting myself and worse, killing someone else, I take driving extremely seriously and I wish everyone would. I don’t understand how not everyone does.

One night when I was practice driving with mother, a car in the oncoming traffic side was speeding and lost control hitting the barricade between us. On impact, the car stood straight up in the air, headlights pointing down with the trunk now above us. For a second it stood straight up and we didn’t know if it was going to fall over to our side right on top of us. Thankfully, for us, it fell back on their side and not on our car. It was an extremely frightening moment, and I was quite shaken for a bit. I got off the highway to pull over to park and collect ourselves. It was a great teaching moment. My mother explained that many drivers will excessively speed and race in the later hours of the evening. It is important to look out for these kinds of situations and stay clear from them. Furthermore, to not ever partake. Drivers will often attempt to get other drivers on the road to race for fun. Rent time on a track and do it safely!

There are several steps I know I can take to be a better and safer driver. I plan my routes ahead of time and leave early. I check my emotions at the door, and I don’t drive tired and too hungry. I never assume! I’m constantly scanning my surroundings and planning for possible sudden obstacles. I regularly check my tire pressure and fluids. I keep my car clean on the inside and outside. I also make sure I have my phone set to alert people who text me that I’m driving and will respond when I arrive at my destination. I understand that driving is a privilege and I really love driving my car. Especially because it is a manual transmission! I do not want to ever lose this privilege, so I don’t take it for granted and drive responsibly, conscientiously and I take very good care of my vehicle’s maintenance.

I’m a firm believer in leading by example. I hope that the way I conduct myself on the road will rub off on my friends and that they will see you can get where you’re in going in style and safely. Having your license suspended or hurting someone on the road is not cool but, hopping in your “whip” for a smooth cruise to the diner after work is very cool. Furthermore, I hope to spread the positive energy of conscientious driving to the drivers around me that I come across on the road. Like the idea of “paying it forward.” If I am considerate and patient to them then, they will be the same with the rest of the drivers they encounter on the road.