Into the Drivers Seat

Driving is a privilege, not a right. When studying for my driver’s license, I came across this particular phrase numerous times. At first glance, this short simplistic phrase may not seem to hold any special meaning. However, this phrase is what every driver, regardless of experience should follow. When this rule is followed properly, the road is much safer for drivers and pedestrians. It is when drivers forget this rule and begin to become too lax, that problems begin to arise. Car crashes are among the top 10 leading causes of death among all age groups around the globe. Cars are a wonderous invention that can transport people across the state in only a matter of hours, however, driving can also be very deadly. If steps are not taken to educate and remind people of this danger, more and more people will die.

Whenever an individual is learning how to drive, they must take a couple of courses. For example, in California, it is mandatory to take an online driver’s education coursed and have 6 months of experience before you can even begin to take the driver’s test. I took these courses and I can say without a doubt that these courses are important and needed for proper knowledge of driving safety. Drivers ed is important because it teaches an individual the laws of the road, signals, what to do in emergencies, and how to drive a car. For example, when black ice, crossing animals, hydroplaning, or tire blowouts happen, it will prove extremely useful for a person to know what actions to take in these surprising and dangerous situations.

Drivers’ ed not only teaches valuable safety tips and knowledge, but it also teaches drivers etiquette. I believe that there are three main reasons for car crashes: 1. Drunk driving and 2. Freak accidents 3. Unsafe driving. Drunk driving can be solved by removing alcohol, but that is a different topic. Freak accidents include black ice, animals, etc. The driver’s manual provides some assistance in what to do regarding these problems. Another thing reason why people get into so many accidents is that they are driving unsafe. This could mean weaving in-between lanes, road rage, running stoplights, etc. When drivers remember safe driving rules and road etiquette then people can drastically reduce driving.

Road rage is an important thing and one item reviewed in my driver’s ed courses is not to take actions so personally. For example, when someone honks their horn at you or cuts off your vehicle. Do not get so angry that this negative emotion clouds your judgment and thoughts. Road Rage can lead to death including your own and innocent civilians who are caught in the crossfire. Road etiquette like this can be a step that can lead to fewer accidents and crashes between individuals. Another important rule and step to ensure safe driving is to let the person on the right go first at stop signs and to only honk a car horn quickly when needed. (This does not include when a person is going too slow.) There are numerous steps and actions that driver’s ed courses give to ensure that drivers can have the safest experience possible when on the road.

This is why taking driver’s ed courses is important before going to the DMV to take a driving test. Driving is not just about knowing how a vehicle operates. Driving includes knowing the correct turn signals, knowing the laws of the road, correct road etiquette, and keeping angry negative emotions in check. I can say from experience that driver’s ed has helped me in more ways than one. I now have the necessary information to drive on the road safely.

To my knowledge, my family has never experienced an accident or a death by a car crash. Luckily my parents drive safely and no one crashed into us. However, both my parents have gotten tickets because of speeding. Speeding is a problem with my parents and with many people. Speeding may easily be going 10 miles over the speed limit or going 60 in a 40-mile zone. Speeding such as in road racing as be especially dangerous and I have heard countless stories where cars have crashed and have even killed a couple of people. So even though none of my parents have been in a car crash, I hope they can learn to follow the speed limit more.

As I have said, some steps to be taken to reduce deaths in accidents are 1. Making driver’s ed classes mandatory in all 50 states 2. Learning you keep your negative and even positive emotions in check. Even when you are super happy, this can cause drivers to become jittery and lose focus on what is around them. 3. Do not drunk drive, the alcohol industry is vast but to stop drunk driving and even other problems caused by alcohol, this industry needed to be taken down. Too many problems arise with liquor and there is not a single valid reason to take fermented poison into the body. I hope that car crashes and deaths can be soon lowered. I am a driver and I hope that I never get into a car crash or be the one who causes such a deadly accident.