Safe Driving, Building Good Habits for Life

The Driver’s Education course is important in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving as it provides essential skills that allow for safer driving habits. When people first learn to drive their judgement and reaction time is not at the same level as more experienced drivers, this can in turn lead to less decisive actions. Taking a driver’s education course is the first major step in lowering the risks of being in an accident, receiving tickets, and poor decision making on the road. It provides a comprehensive breakdown on careful and observant driving around others. A key concept of driving safely and preventing deaths is the idea of “defensive driving”. This is the conscious act of observant and decisive decision making in a given situation. This training in the Driver’s Education course teaches essential skills and provides the basis to learn cognitive awareness and wiser decision-making skills. These skills and knowledge reduce deaths on the road for new and inexperienced drivers.

Another important factor of the Driver’s Education course is becoming familiar and learning what street signs, caution signs, and construction signs mean. This includes both directions to the driver as well as learning legal speeds on the road when the signs are observed. This information is essential to maintain situational awareness and the ability to practice safe driving in specially posted areas. This is important information received and studied in the Driver’s Education class to be a safe driver.

The steps that can be taken to reduce the amount of deaths related to driving start with decreasing as many distractions as possible. Some examples would be, having all electronic devices turned off or in “do not disturb” mode when behind the wheel. When people have their devices on in the car, the ringtone/vibration can be a distraction as the sound can draw one’s eyes away from the road. This can result in an accident or even death. However, it’s not just the phone that is a factor in reducing deaths on the road. Considering car crashes are the #1 cause of deaths for teens in the U.S, another potential risk is speeding. As new drivers, teens are bound to test the limits of their vehicles. Part of being a responsible driver whether new or experienced, is to ensure you follow posted speed limits every time you drive. Simply following posted speed limits is a habit that can save your life and the lives of others.

Whenever I reflect on a time I witnessed a family member drive irresponsibly, I think of my now deceased father. He had a habit of taking a call or text while driving down the road. There have been moments my father sped down the road while texting only to slow down or stop at the last second as he approached hazards. Examples of these hazards are a slowing car ahead of him or an approaching corner. However, none of these moments compared to the following incident. The incident described below shaped my promise to always do my best to keep myself and other drivers safe. When I was 12 years old we were heading back to my mother’s house when my father decided to take a text while driving down the highway. Little did he know, there was a traffic backup that stretched about half a mile as we neared Hartford, CT. I saw the traffic jam coming up, while my dad still texted. He only looked up once I said, “excuse me”. He immediately hit the brake hard and stopped just in time to avoid a crash with stopped traffic. A crash under these circumstances would have likely cause a major wreck that could have had devastating results. Since that day, I have made a commitment and promise never to drive distracted and make sure my phone is always in “do not disturb” mode when driving.

Since becoming a fully licensed driver 3 year ago who also has Autism Spectrum Disorder, I have developed a mnemonic that I and anyone can use as a rule of thumb for becoming a safer driver. The mnemonic is called OIPD (Observe, Identify, Predict, Decide) which are four major components to driving safely, especially with others on the road everywhere you go. First, O-observe, “Don’t Tunnel”, observe the area you’re travelling in as well as a block ahead of you. This allows you to gain information on future approach of the area ahead. Once this is complete, I-identify objects and or conditions within 12-15 seconds ahead that could cause interference with your driving path. It is important you look for pedestrians and parked/passing cars as they approach your path. Then, P-predict what actions or changes in conditions on or near the roadway could increase your risk, such as hazards and or observed objects. Lastly, D-decide on what actions must be taken to reduce your risk such as changing lanes or even moving to the side of the road to avoid a head on collision. Remembering this mnemonic OIPD has helped me become a better driver because I have had more decisive reactions to given situation. With this being stated, I am going to continue sticking to my learned strategies and simple process to protect not only my life, but the lives of all others on the road. I will continue to advocate for safe driving habits and practices amongst my college peers. If we all do our part and practice safe driving skills and habits, the roads will be a safer place for everyone.