Safe Driving Awareness Equals Life

Safe Driving Awareness Equals Life

There are serious implications every time you get “In the Driver’s Seat.” In the words of Peter Parker / Spiderman, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” Power is exactly what you get when obtaining your driver’s license. It enables you to get to work, go visit family or friends, travel and experience so many great things. Responsibility for life and safety comes along with the obtainment of that license. It means you need to take the steps to keep you and others safe when you get behind the wheel and it starts with drivers ed classes.

It is necessary to complete a drivers ed course and pass a written test in most states before a person can obtain their license. Through communication and education comes awareness. The awareness is needed for people to know the extent of their responsibility every time they get behind the wheel. While new drivers become acclimated to rules of the road and operating a vehicle, instructors, parents and guardians need to instill a sense of grim reality as to how quickly a fatality can occur. The more time spent practice driving and encountering all types of driving situations, will help new drivers comfort level and enable them to react quickly in everyday and adverse conditions. When the awareness is enacted, people will execute safe driving procedures. Safer driving habits will help reduce accident injuries and deaths.

There is more to being a good driver than taking classes and putting in driving hours. You have to mentally prepare yourself as well. For example, one of the best and scariest experiences when I had my temps, was when I was driving with my mom. I fell asleep driving and drove through the ditch. My mom was able to grab the wheel safely and get the car controlled. To this day, when the same song plays on the radio that was on when I almost killed us (dramatic I know but it’s how I feel), I’m reminded of everything all over again.

Today, I put a strong emphasis on getting a good night’s sleep before driving anywhere. That experience helped set me up for safer driving by creating a mental checklist every time I get in the car. Even when others are driving me, I will ask them these questions out loud to determine if it’s safe. Those questions are “Am I well rested? Am I emotional stable? Am I impaired for any reason?” If you’ve answered…yes, yes, no, then make sure you buckle up!

By adopting this mental check list you will decreased the chances of an injury or fatal accident for yourself or involving someone else. Life should be savored but you need to be alive to live it.