Progression Is Part of The Process

Driving safely and responsibly is important, knowing how and when to take precautions is also important. Young adults especially teens are the most at risk when it comes to driving which is why taking driving education classes is important. These classes teach more than just explaining how to drive. They explain the consequences that can occur while driving and give different scenarios to test how well you understand. Scenarios such as hydroplaning, encountering an animal, or speeding. These scenarios could save a driver’s life whenever encountered in a dangerous situation as such. Basic driver education classes teach you the value of responsible driving and how doing such can help reduce the number of deaths. A lot of young adults and “teens are more likely to underestimate or not be able to recognize dangerous situations” according to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). It is also said, “teens in the age group of 16-19 years old have a fatal crash rate almost three times as high as drivers in their 20s”.

When it comes to driving it is not only important to pay attention to the road but to also pay attention to your fellow drivers around you. This is one step that many can take to reduce deaths related to driving. Many drivers disregard their surroundings and, in total, it could cause their life or someone else’s. When you pay close attention to your surroundings, it gives you an advantage, you can see when something is out of the ordinary, and know when and how to take action. Though I am still a new driver, the first thing I realized when driving was that people can be really aggressive, especially in the area where I am. I have not been involved in an accident but there have been many times where aggressive drivers have almost run into me. Aggressive drivers can be angry, fast, and impatient. These types of drivers are one of the main factors in car collisions, so it is important that you pay close attention in case you encounter one. Another step to take when driving is to be calm, being calm and patient can potentially help you from becoming engaged in a dangerous situation. A lot of new drivers are known to be nervous when first getting on the road, and that can lead to accidents. Staying calm and releasing anxiety could be a huge help in reducing deaths related to driving. The moral of the story, some steps you can most definitely take are to closely look at your surroundings and try to control your emotions.

I am very lucky to have never been involved in an accident, but I was close. One incident I can remember was when I was a passenger in my father’s car. It was late at night and my father was driving me and my sister home, and out of nowhere a car ran a red light and almost T-boned the left side of the car. It was most definitely a scary situation, but it taught me to watch out for drivers like that. There have also been many moments where I remember being unsafe in a vehicle with a family member driving, and when you do feel that way it’s best to confront them. This could not only save your life but also theirs, and put you out of a situation where you feel unsafe.

To conclude, we know there are a lot of important things when it comes to driving. Paying attention to ourselves and other drivers impacts us daily, and our emotions can control us the minute we start driving. Being calm and watching out for aggressive drivers help us greatly. I myself could take some of these steps and incorporate them into my daily driving. For example… I could take steps such as calming my emotions and anxiety while driving, looking left and right before stepping on the gas at a green light, and driving more gently. It would most definitely benefit me and better my driving skills if I do these steps. The benefits that come from driving education classes and what we can learn on the road are important. This information can be greatly important and improve your driving skills without you knowing. Progress is part of the process and that is what we are trying to achieve. Please drive responsibly and take these steps to better yourself, and others, and hopefully reduce the number of deaths in relation to driving.