Driver Education

This topic is an important idea for the world to become more familiar with. Across the world, people have become too comfortable with either teaching themselves how to drive or using their own rules as means to getting across our roads. If driver education could be more focused within our local government and embrace the idea of empathy or sympathy we could all be seeing more relaxed and confident driving. These two ideas being widespread across our streets could help everyone understand that we’re all trying to get somewhere and regardless of who’s priorities measure higher than others, everyone is equal in the eyes of the law on the road. Now there are instances where individuals’ courtesy is displayed and it is up to others whether or not to receive it on the road, but the most important thing that should be considered is safety. Let’s say surface streets are backed up due to rush hour and someone has to make a left turn across 3 lanes into their line of traffic, but one of those lanes is still moving, it is up to the individual making the left turn lane to stop and verify that all lanes are either stopped and allowing them to go or empty for them to safely make that turn.

These simple cues on the road can prevent many deaths in instances that can be avoided if drivers could be a little more aware of their surroundings and act accordingly. Driver education is important in avoiding traffic deaths for these reasons. Steps that your local communities can take in order to prevent these further would include adopting some healthy habits. Some I have myself would include double checking the lane on the other side of the lane you’d like to merge into on the highway or on 3+ lane streets because far too many times have I seen individuals both signaling to merge into the same lane in front of me but are also merging into the exact same spot. Another would include, taught to me by my father, to always be looking at your mirrors. Every 3 seconds, look at your mirrors. Could be quicker or could be a little slower, but creating the habit of consistently looking at your mirrors as you’re driving helps you to create your space and understand your surroundings at all times while on the road. You always want to set an example in a situation such as this to keep yourself and those around you safe.

I have firsthand experience in the lack of teaching from our local government as far as correcting mistakes on the road goes. Granted I was still learning to drive and have come a long way since then, but when I went to take my drivers’ test after learning from my father for a good while the instructor was not only rude and sarcastic the entire visit but he also was incredibly destructive in my control of the vehicle. Not sure if it was the system behind him or maybe he was having a bad day, but I feel as though that wasn’t a fair experience for me to have as I was still learning and that there was no motivational correction done by him because I learned nothing at the end of the day. Now my second attempt at the driver’s test I aced, but the instructor this time was a woman who was very polite and caring about the entire situation who made me feel comfortable. As long as we can put those who belong in these positions in charge then we would most likely have better drivers on the road. Or it could even be that the system is at fault and should take better care of the situation at hand as it is an important one and involves the public’s safety.

Unfortunately, I’ve had family members suffer accidents. My mother while on the highway with my grandmother was rear-ended. Thankfully no one was hurt, but it was said that the individual who caused the accident was on his phone while traveling at 40 miles an hour. I also had a cousin who was a big fan of motorcycles and loved to take his out often. One night, there was a semi on a very calm street, but it was very dark out. Not sure of the specific situation or what went down as I was very young and no one felt comfortable explaining to me what happened, but I do remember them showing me the news articles and pictures taken of that night of a motorcycle tire piercing through the windshield of the semi. If more people could understand what it means to be empathetic or sympathetic to others on the road, we could avoid these mistakes. We all have someone at home to get back to and many more who’d want to see us healthy and okay the following day. This is why I am sharing this information with you now because I have the motivation to let others know the same to spread safer ideas for everyone to follow and ensure the wellbeing of others in our streets. I plan on following these habits and learning many more to become an even safer driver and would like to welcome others to do the same.