One Small Step for Drivers, One Giant Leap Towards Safer Driving Practices

One Small Step for Drivers, One Giant Leap Towards Safer Driving Practices

For many students, drivers ed is their first introduction into the world of driving. It is their first taste of what a life behind the wheel will be like. A life of freedom, adventures, late nights, and everything in between. The excitement of obtaining a driver’s license often overshadows the responsibility that comes with being a driver, but drivers ed does a great job humanizing the act of driving. It forces prospective drivers to realize the risks of getting behind the wheel; it’s not just a motor vehicle but there are families counting on them to be safe and responsible drivers. Helping students realize that there are lives at stake on the road is the first step towards reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving.

For me, hearing the stories of survivors completely changed my perspective. Being able to put a face, name, age to a driving accident, I realized that statistics like “an average of 34,000 people die each year as a result of driving”, aren’t just numbers and that behind each statistic is a grieving family. While I don’t believe fearmongering is the best strategy for teaching future generations of drivers the importance of being responsible, I do advocate for honestly showing drivers the reality that comes with a license. Silly, yet preventable, distracted driving mistakes have real world consequences. In addition, equipping drivers with strategies that will help them remind family and friends of the importance of safe driving will aid in reducing the number of driving related deaths. It can be uncomfortable to point out the mistakes of a driver when you are a passenger, but these subtle corrections have lasting effects. Drivers ed can incorporate lessons on how to approach others about their driving habits. If we equip students with strategies to address unsafe driving practices, we are one step closer towards making the road a safer place for all.

My first ever experience with irresponsible driving was with my brother; he was a serial texter while driving. My brother is over 10 years older than me, and I was scared to approach him but it was important. I began by drawing his attention whenever he absentmindedly reached for his phone, or simply stating that I felt uncomfortable in the car. Eventually, I refused to sit in his car and sent him videos of families impacted by distracted driving. He no longer texts and drives and is one of the safest drivers I know.

Nowadays, I still make an effort to call out the unsafe driving habits of my friends and family; I know there will be a few minutes of awkwardness but ultimately, it’s worth it. Consequently, it draws my own attention to these mistakes and I can avoid repeating small dangerous habits like turning my head to chat or sneaking a french fry while behind the wheel. These steps are small but work to ensure that we, and those around us, practice safer driving habits.

Thank you so much for the opportunity!