Driving Importance

The reason for there being so many fatalities is because the individual is distracted or the individual decided to make a last minute careless decision. This is where driving education comes into play. Drivers Education teaches you the do’s and dont’s of the road so that you and others can be safe.

The three important keys of driving are visual, manual, and cognitive. Visual means that your eyes should be on the road at all times. You should also be cautious and aware of other drivers, pedestrians, and sometimes even animals. Manual means that your hands should be on the wheel. You shouldn’t be reaching for your phone or food while driving, that’s putting yourself and others at risk. Cognitive means that you should have a clear mind while driving. You shouldn’t be angry or upset while driving because it can cause you to make careless decisions.

Now those three keys should be remembered each time you decide to go driving. There are some additional steps to take when deciding to drive. These steps are:

1. Make sure your windows and windshields are clear

2. Make sure your seat is properly adjusted so that you can reach the controls

3. Make sure your side and rear mirrors are adjusted so that you can see all angles of your car

4. Make sure that you are wearing your seatbelt properly

5. Make sure that you are aware of bicyclists and motorcyclists on the road with you

6. Make sure you are aware and cautious of pedestrians crossing the street or getting in/out of their car

7. Make sure you know the rules of the stop sign, (right of way / first come, first go)

8. Make sure you aren’t speeding up at yellow light, instead slow down

9. When making a right turn at an intersection, either make sure there is a large enough gap for you to join in or wait until the light changes

10. Don’t forget to signal when changing lanes or making a turn

11. Never drink and drive, if you plan to drink make sure you have a ride in advance, (also don’t do drugs either)

12. If you are doing long drives and you start to feel tired, make sure to pull over and take a 15 minute break, (take a short walk or take a nap)

13. Don’t try to beat a train, make sure you come to a complete stop when the lights are flashing and the poles are coming down

14. Do not ignore signs that says do not enter, do not turn on red, or no u-turns

Just by making sure that you follow these steps, it’ll help you reduce the risk of a car crash.

I was in an accident before with my mother. She was waiting in line to drop me off at school, when the car behind us bumped into us. She put the flashing lights on and then we got out to check the car. The back of her car had a dent in it while his car headlight cover was broken. He was shocked at himself, then he started apologizing and offering his insurance. He said that it was by accident and he just got off of work, so he was tired.

I would say that the best thing to do when working an overnight shift is to make sure you get a good enough rest before heading to work, so that you can avoid something like this. Or just find someplace to rest before heading off on the road with other drivers. A little bit of rest before hitting the road won’t hurt.

I also witnessed a car collision before, it was at a cross intersection. The person wanted to make a right turn, but there was oncoming traffic. The person thought they had a chance to go, but they turned slow. The other car didn’t have enough time to slow down, so I heard the screech of their tires as they attempted. The car couldn’t hop in the other lanes either to avoid it because other cars were coming too. This ended up with the two cars colliding. The car wanting to make a right turn should’ve waited instead of jumping out there at the last minute and moving slow. Luckily there were no fatalities because the two cars were able to pull over into a nearby parking lot.

Let this be a lesson learned, if you see oncoming traffic and you want to turn, wait until there is a large enough gap, meaning barely any cars are coming or simply just wait until the light changes.

Basically, there is a lot to think about when it comes to driving and ensuring safety to yourself and as well as others. So, if you and friends want to go for a ride, make sure that they have their seatbelts on and that they aren’t distracting you while driving. Also, make sure that you always check your blind spots when driving. Always do so when switching lanes, or when motorcyclists / bicyclists are around.

Overall, make sure you know when to be a defensive driver. With all of these tips and tricks, you should be able to become a better driver and avoid the risks of head on collisions.