The Key to Being a Better Driver

If driver’s education is so important, why is it not a required course? Driver education is key for safer roads and in reducing the number of deaths Related to car accidents. Without it, fundamental knowledge for drivers to be safe on the roads wouldn’t be known. Things such as knowing what road signs mean, proper parking, what to do at a four-way intersection, etc. Things like this ensure your safety if they are followed by everyone. Though that is a perfect world which we are not in. Not everyone may be educated or want to follow these rules of the road, so its important to know them for yourself and be vigilant while driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the number one cause of crashes is driver related reason. The top two Driver related Critical reasons were recognition errors, such as driver’s inattention, internal/external distractions, and inadequate surveillance. The other was decision errors, such as driving too fast and illegal maneuvering. Knowing these things is very important to you as a driver and to other fellow drivers around you.

To guarantee safer roads, steps must be taken. First step, is to just have an understanding of how the rules of the road work. It can be one of the most important things to know when driving, like what signs mean, when or when not to merge, or even knowing your braking distances. They all are very important. Next, is to know your car. Every car is different in how they break, accelerate, and turn. A good example of that is my own family’s cars, one is a small commuter car which turns very tight and is quite light. Our other car is a SUV on a truck chassis and it turns like a bus, but has a lot of power under it. Different vehicles require different things, like more room to turn, different braking distances, and more. It is incredibly important to know your car. Finally, it’s important to know defensive driving. When all goes wrong and you are put in that split second decision of life and death, knowing what to do is vital. Being able to avoid danger is a very good way to be safe.

Thankfully, I have never experienced a car crash but with my father being a first responder, I have heard stories. From being T-boned by a speeding car to black ice on the road. Living right next to Interstate 81 I have seen a lot. Lots of reckless drivers and inattentive truck drivers. I had a few close calls, but thanks to knowing how to drive defensively we were able to avoid them. I have only seen a few times where my family were driving irresponsibly. Things such as not putting their seat belts on, which I’m not exactly comfortable with. Friends on the other hand, I have seen some things such as speeding. I personally don’t like doing these things, but I would enjoy doing them at a designated area such as a racetrack meant for fast speeds. I may like fast cars and such, but it does not mean I have to endanger the people around me to enjoy it.

What can I do to become a better and safer driver? There are a lot of things I can do to be a better and safer driver. First off, I can make sure I understand my basics such as like things you would see on the permit test. Next, I would do is get a lot of experience. Having firsthand experience is probably the most important thing I can do. Next, I would take courses in defensive driving. My mother had the fortunate experience to have them and her talking about it left the impression on me that I need to know this. Knowing what to do when stuff goes sideways seems like very useful information. I would also stay vigilant while driving because being inattentive behind the wheel can be very dangerous. Staying sober and well rested is something I will always make sure of when planning to drive. I would also keep up on eye doctor appointments due to having really bad eyesight. A good way I can also help others is do something as simple as reminding my parents to wear their seatbelts or be the designated driver, so friends and family do not go out on the road impaired. The most important thing you can do to help others be safe is to be safe yourself.

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration “Critical Reasons for Crashes Investigated in the National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey” NHTSA, NHTSA, February 2015, https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812115. Accessed 13 May 2021.