The Dangers of Assuming

The Dangers of Assuming

By Hannah Lyons

Driving can be one of the most exhilarating activities of daily life, from screaming the lyrics to your favorite song, while flying 60 mph down the highway in a big metal can, to driving a packed trunk full of boxes to your college dorm, the relationship between a driver and their car will always be revolutionary. A car resembles a box of old polaroids. Every time I see the old family car, I think back to the places it brought me to and the towns it took me away from; each moment is captured in the rearview mirror. So, the day I was gifted my 2012 blue hybrid Ford CMAX quickly became one of the best days of my life.

This blueberry beauty took me back and forth senior year at an impressive 40 miles per gallon, even surviving my night shifts at McDonald’s, better than I did. I was free to go anywhere and see anything. All I needed was gas in my tank and the strange cranks of the overworked electric motor to keep my spirits high.

That was until one evening when my mother decided to drive me to work after a hard day at school. Waiting at the yield intersection, we were rear-ended by a child of my age. It shocked us both at first, and we sat in silence to comprehend what just happened. Eventually, we pulled over and my mother did what adults do best and took control of the situation, traded insurance, called the police, and gave that “disappointed in you” look. Ever since that incident, I have never driven in the same way, especially when faced with a yield sign.

I began focusing on my own bad driving habits and tried to figure out what was going through the boy’s head before he hit us. I thought of all the times I did not check my blind spots and assumed that it would be clear. The times I turned my music up so loud I could barely hear my turn signal, automatically assuming that no sirens were around. What about the times I assumed the light was going to stay green, so I sped up? Was that boy just as bad about assuming as I was? Assumptions cloud judgment and lead to poor decision-making that can be fatal in a driving accident.

To overcome the assumptions that fight for the driver’s control, it is useful to have a vehicle fitted with a range of bells and whistles. Many family favorite vehicles, such as the classic Honda Civic, Chevy Tahoe, and Toyota RAV4, are now equipped with a lane-assist feature. This signals to the driver, with a loud beep, whether someone occupies the lane they are trying to pull into. The United States Department of Transportation states that drivers with a lane departure warning system are involved in 18% fewer crashes than those without.

The number of assumptions made on the road can be reduced by making conscious decisions to improve safety when choosing a vehicle. By using a free electronic mapping system, such as Apple Maps, Google Maps, or Waze Maps, drivers are notified of upcoming lights, stop signs, and potential hazards before the brain even has time to assume the way is clear. Even if a driver has a well-known memorized route, utilizing an app with alerts reduces the phenomenon called “Highway Hypnosis, ” zoning out at the wheel.

As a driver, it is important to assess your mindset and make sure you are fully aware of your surroundings before taking your high-speed steel bullet out for a joyride. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety estimates that approximately 328,000 vehicle crashes per year are caused by tired drivers. Truck and rest stops are frequently placed on major highways to encourage drivers to pull over if they feel that their fatigue is impacting their ability to be on the road. As a student who frequently drives back and forth to my college campus, I make a conscious decision to ensure driver safety first. I always remember to take a break on my trip for that well-earned gas station coffee, and I never assume that other drivers are doing the same. I always stay vigilant and watch out for cars that are swerving, rapidly changing lanes, or slowing unexpectedly.

Making assumptions at the wheel can be as hurtful as at your workplace or school. Taking the much-needed time to stop, think, and listen can save one’s life and others. It is crucial to understand how quickly driving can go wrong and the importance of critical thinking and conscious decision-making. So, the next time you are enjoying the memories created in your car, think about how quickly they can be taken away, do not assume that they will always be around.

Works Cited

Crash statistics show that lane departure warning systems have reduced all relevant crashes by 11 percent, and all relevant injury crashes by 21 percent, controlling for driver demographics. | ITS Deployment Evaluation. https://www.itskrs.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/ID/3892f198007a234085258187006f93d6

Fatigued driving – National Safety Council. https://www.nsc.org/road/safety-topics/fatigued-driver