Driver Education Initiative – There Are Others on the Road, Too

NAME:
Tammy Pham

TITLE:
There Are Others on the Road, Too

ESSAY:

Driving
requires full awareness of your surroundings and understanding of
traffic laws. Without these two driving obligations, you’ll have a
higher chance of encountering accidents. There has been too many
instances where driving accidents have led to casualties and injuries
when they could be avoided with full attention to the road. Driver
education is important because it serves as a reminder to be safe
when operating a vehicle. Practicing safe driving is not difficult;
just obey traffic laws to protect yourself and others on the road.
Even if you are just sitting as a passenger, it’s important to
provide a second set of eyes to watch out for the road.

To
reduce the number of deaths related to driving, do not use your phone
when behind the wheel. I have been in situations myself where I
glanced down at my phone on my lap, looked back up to see traffic
ahead, and had to brake hard. If a phone is needed during driving,
use a car mount phone holder positioned where it is within eye view
with the front. If a phone isn’t necessary, the “Do Not Disturb”
option on the phone turns off incoming notifications when the vehicle
is in motion.

I’ve
seen friends and family members drive irresponsibly in cases where
their phones are in use or there are a lot of distractions within the
car. Playing music at a certain volume is acceptable, but when it is
played too loud it may become a distraction to the driver. In my 4
years or so of driving, I have witnessed many drivers who drive under
the influence. Alongside texting-while-driving and loud music
playing, I believe intoxicated driving is one of the biggest concerns
we currently have. Plan ahead on how to get to and from places if
you’re going to be intoxicated.

The
biggest problem of all is simply not giving the full and undivided
attention required for driving. In July 2018, there was a tragic
accident in Delaware which resulted in the deaths of a father and his
four children. The wife suffered serious injuries, but was the only
one to survive the crash. The man who caused the crash admitted it
was due to his negligent lack of attention. If you feel sleepy,
dizzy, or are in any condition where you can’t drive carefully,
pull over until you can figure out what to do next. Check up on
others to make sure they are driving okay and hopefully there are
people doing the same for you.

To
be a safer driver, I will use my car mount to look at my phone rather
than down on my lap. I will also be more cautious of my surroundings
and making sure of driving plans before going out. Everyone has their
own responsibility of safe driving to uphold. We must know that there
are others on the road, too. How we behave when behind the wheel not
only affects our safety, but others’ safety as well.