On the Road

When I look back to my experience as a new driver, remaining focused and calm while so much happened around me was one of the most challenging things to deal with. Being aware of what happened behind, in front of, and next to my car was overwhelming, and when I asked for help, I would often be advised that I would get it once I had more experience. That advice was unbelievably frustrating. I was a bad driver, and for me to be a good driver is to practice, but how do I practice without endangering myself and everyone on the road?

The solution is driver’s education. Driver’s education allows individuals to learn key steps, understand the laws, and ask questions to clear up misconceptions, for example how to change lanes properly, what to do in rainy conditions, and important defensive driving strategies. Making sure inexperienced drivers understand the rules and routines will better prepare those students for real-life scenarios which prevents recklessness and mistakes. Furthermore, driver’s education will highlight the consequences of reckless driving preventing students from falling into temptations like texting and speeding while behind the wheel. For example, a lot of driver’s education courses will show interviews with survivors of car wrecks and highlight the effects on insurance rates. The mental, physical, and financial consequences can also persuade the newcomers into following the rules of the road.

Alongside driver’s education, steps can be taken to prevent dangerous scenarios. One of these steps is to utilize social media to promote driving with an experienced driver, such as a qualified instructor or parent, in the beginning stage of receiving a driver’s license. Most people have some sort of social media, and I believe seeing content on the benefits of help for beginner drivers would convince not just the student, but the parents as well. Many unaccustomed drivers, especially teenagers, become fixated on the freedom of being able to drive alone, but I believe having just a little bit more patience will have a multitude of benefits. An experienced driver can advise while the individual is driving, correct mistakes, and serve as a second pair of watchful eyes. The driver is also more likely to follow rules, such as slowing down at yellow lights and avoiding cell phone use, if they know someone is supervising them. Furthermore, practicing safe driving in the beginning stages will create habits and benefit the driver overall. The second step is to encourage practicing driving in safer environments and then building up the difficulty. For example, driving in extreme traffic is quite stressful and a little scary for young drivers. There is so much going on, and it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Meanwhile, driving in low-traffic areas in the beginning will allow the driver to confidently practice their skills, improve quickly, and not endanger themselves and the people around them. Step three is communication, especially through community involvement. Having people the new student drivers know speak will impact them more than a stranger since they have a connection, and it feels as though the information pertains to them more. Also hosting safe driving events in a community will have a greater impact on the encouragement of safe driving because it is something friends can go to together, which attracts more people to the events.

A month after receiving my driver’s permit I experienced getting into a car accident. I needed to turn left onto a busy street and the car next to me was blocking my view. There was a huge line behind me, and I was feeling a bit anxious. I ended up turning without being sure that there was no one coming, and I got rear-ended. That moment was unforgettable, and no one was hurt but it made me understand the consequences of my actions. My mom and brother were in the car. What could have happened to them? What could have happened to the person who rear-ended me? People need to be aware of what could happen as they are driving because it does not just affect them.

After this experience and a couple of years of driving experience, I know some steps to help me become a safe driver and advocate for road safety. The first step is to set an example. If I choose not to speed, not only am I creating a safer environment for myself, but the people around me are also less likely to speed. I have often heard that it is dangerous to go slower than everyone else, and that “you have to speed”. I’ll admit the advice makes little sense, but overall, it is very flawed. I do not believe that it is ok to go forty miles per hour while everyone is going seventy miles per hour, but I do believe that the speed limits, along with all the other rules, were created for a reason and that it’s unsafe to speed just because everyone else is. The second step is to avoid distractions. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of death while driving, and it is crucial to avoid things that make me lose focus. The ways I can accomplish this are to avoid eating while in the car, not offer to give rides to people I know are a distraction, and never text and drive. I remember that the text messages and food are still going to be there when I reach my destination, and the risk is not worth my life and the life of my family and/or community members. The third step is to tell my story. As a young driver myself, I would be able to better relate to people my age. By sharing my own stories, regrets, and advice via social members and word of mouth to people in my community I can convince new drivers to make good decisions while on the road.