A Name is Not a Statistic

I remember taking drivers ed when I was fourteen and fifteen. The education went through all the guidelines to safe driving and rules of the road. Drivers Ed went through all the kind of accidents that could happen, and at the time it all seemed unimportant to me to know the specific number of accidents in each scenario. However, when I started to drive without an instructor, it truly instilled a kind of fear of knowing how much power sitting behind the wheel held. Drivers ed is vital to reducing the number of automobile-related deaths because it allows drivers to understand their responsibility to others and for themselves.

Certain steps than can be taken to reduce the number of driving-related deaths. These steps could include the following: education of young drivers, road signs warning of consequences of bad driving, friends who call out bad driving, and a renewal driver’s test. Drivers ed is required; yet, as years go by continued drivers ed is not mandated. While drivers continue to renew their license, they are not required to retake any tests to make sure they still understand the rules of the road. A lot can change in 10-20 years. Nonetheless, drivers can go as long or even longer without being revaluated whether they should be driving.

I have experienced two car accidents, and friends and family of mine have experienced equally-as or more-than me. My first accident was split down the middle for who was at fault, but after the fact I can envision clearly what I should have done to avoid the accident. When I first got my license at 16, I was nervous to drive—frankly, I was also not very observant. I should have waited until I knew for certain the road was clear, or waited until I had a green light. I had made a left turn on a yield light, where I was positive I could not see around the corner, and got into a fender bender accident. No one was hurt; however, I cannot help but think how much it shook me up.

The steps I personally can take to become a better driver is to pay more attention to the road. I feel that one of the biggest issues I faced starting to drive was that I was too afraid to drive, and it made me unobservant. When I am able to see safe driving as my responsibility, I can have confidence in knowing I can do what I need to do. While I do not want to be a backseat driver, I can also help others be safe drivers by letting them know how important it is to drive safely.