Th Antithesis that are Automobiles: Precautions You Can Take To Be Safe

Cars are the efficient, violent animals that are one of human’s best creations and still one of our most destructive devices.

Drivers ed and learning from other driver’s experience is the most important prevention of accidents. Drivers ed often seems mundane and dull to those bright and spirited 15-and-a-half and 16-year olds. However, once you’re on the road and there are cars, and more importantly, lives all around you, the education doesn’t seem inconsequential. Those laws and rules you learned in a dim-lit classroom now your guidebook when you’re uncertain on the road. At every moment you have to be keenly alert and aware of your surroundings, anticipating the slightest changes.

There are features and actions you can take to ensure you stay alert and aware. First, if you have an iPhone turn on the Do Not Disturb While Driving feature. As a teenager, I can attest that I;m attached to my phone. This feature blocks all notifications once it detects you’re in the car and sends a message to those who are texting you that you’ll get back to them after you’ve reached your destination. Otherwise, put your phone in a place out of sight and turn notifications off. Second, keep your music at a volume that allows you to have it as mere background noise rather than the main event — because the main event is you driving! Third, make sure to keep a clean environment in the car, if there are bright wrappers everywhere it’s hard to stay focused. Fourth, remember to keep a few healthy snacks (granola bars, nuts, etc) and water in your car. Before you start driving, make sure to drink or eat what you need. Make sure you’re not distracted by a hungry stomach or dry throat, and do this before you’re actually on the road. Lastly, sunglasses! Make sure you can see the road!

I took all of the necessary precautions I’ve stated above and I still had an accident. Was it pointless? It felt like the car came out of nowhere and in a split second. I just felt heat. I had an airbag burn and multiple bruises, and I passed out from shock. For weeks I thought about what if I had taken a different route? What if I went slightly faster? What if I went slightly slower? The most important lesson you’ll learn from Drivers ed and other people’s experience is defensive driving. My precautions weren’t pointless. You can do everything for yourself, but you can’t control the actions of others. You can’t control the person that doesn’t stop. You can’t control the drunk drivers. You can’t control the person speeding. Ultimately, you can only control yourself. Know that these people exist. Be ready to stop. Be ready to go.

Automobiles are an antithesis in themselves. Ambulances are vehicles that could save the life of someone who had been dangerously speeding and got into an accident.

Yes, there are innumerable benefits of driving. But please, be safe.