In the Drivers Seat

Every time you climb in your driver’s seat and buckle up, you’re taking a huge risk. Not

only for your own safety but the safety of any passengers, and yes this absolutely includes our beloved family pets in the back seats. We also must always be on the lookout for pedestrians and mindful of the other drivers we share the roads with. Driving is not to be taken lightly, it’s a very serious matter. No matter if it’s a cross-country trip for vacation or just around the corner to the local grocery store. You must always be aware of your surroundings. And please it goes without saying, don’t drink and drive.

Vehicles accidents on our roadways are the most dangerous mode of transportation. We may all be safer if some small to medium-size towns had trains or busses that took them into cities for work and school. This would cut out a lot of traffic on our dangerous freeways. But most communities don’t have an option like that. Carpooling is a nice option to lessen the traffic on roads. And bonus you get to take advantage of the carpool lane. But whoever’s turn it is to drive you must be sure that they are an experienced driver with plenty of education and you feel safe with them in control of the vehicle. Or better yet if you’re a confident, safe defensive driver you be the one in the captain’s chair.

The importance of driver education is paramount and can never be stressed enough no matter the driver’s experience. Drivers’ education and defensive courses should be affordable and easy to access in any community for all ages. And make the courses not just for punishment for breaking driving laws. Make driving courses available for whoever, whenever they feel like they need extra practice being a better driver. The rewards for good driving some insurance companies offer is an excellent idea to give drivers an extra incentive towards safer driving. We all would like to feel appreciated for our success in safe driving.

Driving can be extremely stressful with all the vehicles on the roads. And it seems like everyone is always in a rush to make it to their destination. If drivers would learn better defensive driving skills this would save a lot of lives. You cannot always count on the driver in the next lane, or the one coming towards you in traffic to be paying any attention to you or other vehicles. So always be on the lookout for drivers who seem to be reckless in their vehicles. Getting slammed by four thousand pounds of steel can most likely kill all involved in the accident.

We’ve all made mistakes while driving. We just need to know when we do make them and learn our lessons from those mistakes we make. And hopefully, we don’t have to learn them from the maniac with a pipe possessed by road rage. Avoid that driver safely at all costs. I once was zooming along down an alley in my neighborhood. I felt too comfortable because I had done that in that same alley a thousand times. Well, my view was not the clearest because of parked cars and trees. I rammed right into the side of a passing car’s passenger side. So glad they had no passengers. It was totally my fault. And you can bet now whenever I’m exiting anywhere, not just an alley I’m driving slowly and looking both ways constantly. If you have ever been hit by another driver it can be traumatizing. If you’ve ever had the unfortunate luck of being rear-ended, you’re probably always looking in your rearview mirror. Which in itself is a distraction. Checking your mirror and blind spots often can make driving much safer for you. So, make sure they all are adjusted correctly for your height. Especially if you share or it’s a rented vehicle.

I’ve seen a lot of scary dash cam videos on YouTube or footage on local news stations to make it clear to me how crazy dangerous it can be on the roads. I’m a very courteous driver and hope maybe another driver around me takes cues on my driving. People need to take more steps to become better drivers. Slowing down and being patient are easy steps in this, so just take a deep breath and make sure you have no distractions. Driving doesn’t have to be as dangerous as it is. If we all do our own part to help make it safer for all, fellow drivers and our pedestrians.