How We Can All Be Better Drivers

Driver’s education is an absolutely necessary tool when learning to drive safely and responsibly. These classes provide students with the knowledge, practice, and skills required to be safe drivers and include instruction that takes place both in the classroom and on the road. Driver’s education teaches beginner drivers what their responsibilities are on the road and the rules they need to follow, but it also accomplishes something else: it helps students build confidence in themselves and their driving skills. All of these are imperative in reducing the inherent risk that comes with driving. Because driving is so common in the US, many people forget how dangerous it really is. Over 100 people die each day in car crashes. That’s more than 38,000 deaths per year. Think about it: you are driving a piece of heavy machinery that weighs several thousand pounds, all while being closely surrounded by other several thousand pound pieces of heavy machinery. That’s scary! In addition, there are so many things that can play a factor in causing a car crash: the weather, other drivers, or a phone notification could potentially cause deadly automobile crashes. By taking driver’s education, you are made aware of this and can prepare for these situations and responsibly handle them.

Driver’s education is so valuable for beginner drivers because it is taught by professionals who are knowledgeable about rules and regulations and can explain them in easy to understand ways. They also help you practice how to actually drive in a safe environment. A really big advantage of driver’s education is that you learn all of the rules of the road before you start driving, that way you can be more confident and feel more prepared to drive. Self-assured drivers are safer drivers because they can think with a clear head and make better split-second decisions when necessary. Anxious drivers, on the other hand, often second-guess themselves and hesitate, which can lead to accidents.

Another step that can be taken to reduce driving related deaths is one that is not very commonly talked about, but that I think is crucial: only driving when you feel ready to. This was something that was very important to my family and I when I started getting ready to drive. While it is really common—and encouraged—to get your driver’s license at 16, I simply did not feel ready at that age. The thought of driving stressed me out, and I knew I would not be able to be the best driver I could be at that time. Instead, I opted to wait a while before being on the road. I finally felt ready to start driving when I was 18, and I am so glad I took my time and did not let myself get pressured into driving when I did not want to, because I would have been very anxious and overwhelmed. Instead, because I waited, I was excited to drive and was more willing to learn and to practice. This may be an odd bit of advice, but it is one that I know helped me and even some of my other friends be better drivers.

I have fortunately never been in a car accident, but I have been in cars before where the driver has been distracted and has made me feel unsafe. Sometimes, the driver will get a text or will want to put music on, and will use their phone while they are driving. This makes me uncomfortable, because them having their attention elsewhere endangers the both of us and the cars around us. Anything could happen in the couple of seconds they are looking away from the road, so it is important that they stay focused and alert in case anything does happen. One thing that I always keep in mind while driving, especially if I am driving with passengers, is that it is my responsibility to keep them safe. This motivates me to stay focused and alert, as well as to keep an eye out for any other distracted drivers so that I avoid any accidents. There are many simple things you can do to reduce distractions. For starters, I always turn on the Driving Focus feature on my phone, which stops notifications from coming through and grabbing my attention. When I am not using my phone’s GPS, I always make sure to tuck it away so I don’t see it at all—out of sight, out of mind, right? Lastly, if you ever need to use the hands-off feature on the car, make sure it is not while you are turning, merging, or in any situation that requires a lot of attention. If you need to answer a call, use the hands-off feature, or anything else that may shift your focus away from the road, the safest option is to pull off to the side.

Driving is a wonderful mode of transportation that has so many advantages—convenience, flexibility, comfort—but it is also something that must be approached with a sense of responsibility and consideration. It is crucial to do your part to keep yourself and others safe while on the road. Drivers education is the first step all of us can take to become the better, safer drivers of tomorrow.