Respect in Gear

Education, in its entirety, is a chance to appreciate, respect, and expose a student to its defining subject. Usually, if any topic or practice requires some form of education, then it must be something one must be prepared for- something one must respect the limits of- and most of all, something that requires much time and thought. Driving is this subject. While dully being defined as a metal vehicle rolling on 4, axled wheels. Push the gas to go, push the brakes to stop. Actually, no. In fact, this thought process is the exact one of those who drink, text, and become distracted while driving. Yet when one sits down to learn just how respectable a car’s machinery is, how the 4-piped, multipurpose hydraulic system propels brake fluid, oil, and gasoline an almost perpetual piston engine is able to pull you, your friends, and your heavy metal car, and even how the simple, pie-sized steering wheel hydraulic design gives you maximum control of two, 30 pound Goodyears at the stroke of an arm, they will finally be able to learn to respect both the car, and other drivers too. While this is only one small branch of drivers ed, it lays all foundations for a healthy drivers-ed experience. All in all- reducing the number of deaths in cars lies in education. At least, there should be mandatory courses, that should be administered in both middle and high schools, that aim at giving at least a simple crash course in the art of driving, and maybe some mechanics too. Cars are a part of everyday life, yet virtually no attention is given to them. When one knows their vehicle well, they will respect it, and undoubtedly put their phone down and drive, in turn lowering death counts, especially when exposed early. It is for this reason that neither me nor my family drive carelessly or have ever crashed. We have a tradition of loving and respecting cars. Though, I have witnessed a terrible accident due to the anger of a driver in trying to reach an exit too late- which has, even up until now, taught me to always prioritize safety over speed.

While education definitely helps a driver when they are focused, watching other drivers while in a daze may be a quick way to fit in with the bandwagon and match their practices, safe or not. I, as a driver, have one responsibility to me and all cars within a ten-mile radius. And this is to set a wise example. For instance,, when in front of many cars, driving on the speed limit will set the standards for cars behind me, making them slow down too. In turn, both me and dozens of drivers have exponentially reduced risk of accidents. Or perhaps, keeping a wholesome six-seconds of space to the front car, thus making drivers entering your road more likely to do the same as well, allowing for a safe braking cushion area, preventing dozens of rear-ends.