Driving Smackdown 101

Azeez Adedeji

High School Senior Becoming a Undergraduate Freshman

2020 Drivers ed Essay Contest

Driving SMACKDOWN 101

The importance of drivers ed in reducing the number of deaths caused by driving is to teach drivers how to be more diligent, focused, and careful on the road. It prepares you for the risks and dangers of potentially driving around wild, uneducated drivers that may provoke car accidents. You will understand the accuracy and sense of all the rules and regulations of the road. Drivers ed makes it easier to memorize and pay attention to the street signs and their meanings so you can be a more poised, reassured, and well rounded driver. You’ll be more intelligent navigating through traffic looming weather conditions, highways, and other occurrences or interventions on the road. Some steps that may be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving include cancelling out any detrimental distractions, multitasking, being more aware of roads, and simply protecting yourself and others possibly in the vehicle with you. Some common distractions like being on your electronic devices or eating and drinking derail you of driving safe and sound. Doing these things simultaneously can kill a pedestrian or cost a life in a car crash. You can avoid these distractions by pulling over to the side of the road to park and handle these minor priorities. Eat before or after you’ve reached your destination. If it isn’t any emergency going on, try driving the phone free like putting it in a sealed box and placing it in the trunk or backseat of your car. Also, scout the road and make sure you’re switching lanes when you’re supposed to and looking out for any motorcyclists and bicyclists coming through. Another thing is keeping your seat belt on at all times and reminding whoever is driving with you to tighten their seat belts too so you can ensure safety precautions are taken. Make sure your windows are adjusted, your tire pressure is between 30 and 35 PSI, and you’re not drifting or speeding. I’ve had an experience of my father driving irresponsibly.. He was watching a Nigerian movie while driving me to school and mistakenly thought the red light changed. He ended up pressing the gas too hard and crashing into a car in front of him. Steps I can take myself in driving safely are reminding myself constantly to obey traffic rules to show respect to the law and other drivers obeying the law. I got to make sure my turning signals are on to demonstrate appropriate turns and lane switches. Another step is driving with stable mental health, as in driving sober and my mind free of negative thoughts or past negative situations.When the weather and the roads are in bad or terrible condition, I should take preliminary safety measures and search for other routes to take. For example if construction was happening or potholes were in the pavements, I should find another way. I should also check the weather forecast more before I leave to drive.