It Only Takes 1 Mistake

I was involved in a car accident 2 months ago where I was driving straight on a green light and the man that hit me had a red light in the left turn lane. According to him he didn’t notice the light was red and it was later revealed that he didn’t notice the red light because he was on his phone at the time of the accident. I was in the car with both my parents and my little sister and in the moments directly after the accident I was terrified that something could have happened to them. Everyone involved was fine but that terrified feeling hasn’t left me.

Ever since then when any of my friends or family are driving and go to check their maps on the phone or try to change the radio stations I always interject and do it for them so they can focus on driving. I used to do the same when driving alone whether it be quickly checking my maps app or changing songs on my phone, but since the accident i have stopped doing those things while driving and it has definitely changed how safe i am while driving. I’ve also become a more defensive driver. I have begun checking twice before turning left or right at intersections and just generally being more aware of the cars around me while on the road.

There are so many things a person can do to be a better and safer driver. Defensive driving is highly recommended to all drivers; new or experienced. Defensive driving means being aware of your surroundings, anticipating hazards, and taking steps to avoid them. Defensive driving is all about being proactive, rather than simply reacting to what’s happening around you. There was one night a few months back after working over 12 hours straight on a project in the city I had an hour and a half drive back home ahead of me and I was completely exhausted. I tried driving home but after as little as 10 minutes I was falling asleep behind the wheel. I decided to pull into a mall parking lot and call my parents to come and get me. Thank god I did because as soon as I was picked up and on the way home I passed out the entire way home. If i hadn’t made the proactive choice to have someone come and get me who knows what could have happened on the road. It only takes a second and one slip up to cause irreversible damage.

In addition to driver education, several other steps can be taken to reduce the number of driving-related deaths. Car companies are adding new safety features every year. My mother’s car has a sensor and beeps when there is a car in your blind spot. This has proven extremely helpful to me and I can confidently say that it’s even saved my life on a few occasions. I also believe stricter penalties for drunk and reckless driving would deter teenagers and young adults from risking getting behind the wheel after a night out. Especially if they know they wouldn’t be able to pay any fines they may be given.

I used to think Driver’s Education was a waste of time but after doing some research I have come to the conclusion that Driver’s Ed is actually a major player in reducing car accidents. A study by the AAA Foundation revealed that teens who go through a structured Drivers Ed program are safer on the roads; and because teen driver safety is the primary focus of Driver’s Ed, new drivers who go through the program are involved in fewer car crashes and receive fewer convictions than those taught by mom or dad. “This research confirms what conventional wisdom tells us – driver education makes a difference,” says Dr. William Van Tassel, AAA Manager of Driver Training Programs.

Teenagers in general have an overall blazè attitude towards most things in life, including driving. Most car accidents are caused by people aged 16-18. Drivers ed demonstrates the importance of safe driving and in no means sugar coats all that can happen after being involved in a fatal car accident that could have easily been avoided. I remember being in drivers ed and having speakers talk about losing their kid due to reckless driving and those stories have stayed imprinted on my brain even now, years after taking drivers ed.

In conclusion, there are several adjustments anyone can make to be a better driver. I have personally made strides to make sure my family and I are safer drivers and now also better understand how driver education helps prevent fatal car accidents by teaching kids driver safety.