Lead By Example

Lead By Example

How did you learn how to drive a car? Watching your parents? Attending drivers ed as a teen? All of our experiences leading up to getting our license has made an impression on what kind of driver we will be. The most important lessons were learned in Drivers Ed. Drivers Ed is where you learned the rules of the road, signs and laws to follow but one thing I didn’t learn in Drivers Ed was how driving changes as time goes on. When cell phones were introduced, driving changed, when I had kids, driving changed and as I grow older driving changes.

One important lesson learned in Drivers Ed is to keep our eyes on the road. I learned this 18 years ago when I was in drivers ed but never imagined it would become a problem this many years later with cell phones being everywhere. Drivers Ed does a great job of teaching you how to drive; follow signs, follow the speed limit, watch your surroundings, pay attention to the other cars. All these things play an important role in reducing the amount of accidents and deaths because of car accidents. Teaching these lessons early in life, in Drivers Ed, will start safe habits for new drivers.

Understanding how any small distraction can have a negative consequence, we need to focus on making sure we are following good safety practices when driving. When my kids are ready to drive they will have learned many things from me and Drivers Ed combined. First, we need to make sure we are following rules ourselves when driving. No cell phones, no loud distraction, buckle up, pay attention to the road. Then, we need to teach those lessons to our kids before they even start Drivers Ed. This is so important cause they mimic our behavior. In addition to being a good role model and completing Drivers Ed kids need to understand things can change in an instant when driving – take the steps to learn how to drive safely and follow them!

I have never been in an accident nor do I know anyone who has been seriously hurt in a car accident. My heart goes out to all the people who may have lost someone in an accident, I cant imagine what they went through. I for sure have seen my fair share of distracted driving especially as a teen and when cell phones first came out. You don’t realize how dangerous a situation can be till its too late. Sure, my friends and I goofed around while driving and as I get older and thing back on the things we did – I am glad none of us ever got hurt. I don’t want my kids to think its ok to drive distracted, be on the phone or make poor decisions just because their friends say to or think it’s cool. They will grow up with the knowledge if something does not feel safe or just a plain stupid Idea, speak up about it. It might just prevent and accident and save a life.

As I mentioned before, I feel it is my responsibility to be a good role model for my kids when it comes to driving. They copy me and do what I do so if I can follow simple rules to pay attention, put my cell phone away, and follow traffic laws they will do the same when they are older. It is important to answer any questions they have about driving and teach them at a young age so when they enter Drivers Ed they will already have good practices set in place from watching me. I haven’t been in drivers Ed in about 18 years but I can only imagine the lessons have changed dramatically compared to when I was in school. It is so important to stress the consequences that might happen if you drive distracted so people make the right decision.