My experience

Whoop whoop, I received my pink slip, my ticket to freedom! Is that not the greatest feeling ever? The one thing standing in my way of freedom was to complete my 45-Hour Parent/Teen Driving guide. I just started driving on the road with a nervous mom next to me after hours of practising in a parking lot, getting ready, starting the vehicle, placing the vehicle in motion and stopping. And every time I got a little bit too close to another car, my mom would break with her feet against the floor or push against the dashboard with her hands. Lets not even talk about all the shouting and screaming when she felt I did something wrong. A little bit of advice for anyone learning how to drive. I would suggest for the first few lessons, choose the parent that is cool and calm. But, I must admit, although it was the most frustrating time of my life, I understand now why she reacted this way. My mom needed to take responsibility for all my actions without having a steering wheel in her hands, no breaks to stop the car if it was necessary. Only her voice and body movements could make her feel in control of the situation and possibly stop me from making a mistake. From my experience I think parents should encourage responsible behaviour, to minimize the risks as they have the greatest influence on us. Yes it is true, even if this means they will be shouting and screaming at us. Unfortunately, it remains a reality that every motorist should accept and prepare for road accidents, breakdowns, and traffic congestion.

I always thought, how difficult can this be? As a new driver, I used all the tools they provided to drive safely and start my new journey. I’ve learned that by checking a few things regularly I can keep other motorists safe. So make sure your tires are inflated to the correct tyre pressure. Check for any fluid leaks. Ensure that all lights and indicators are in working order and never let gasoline run down to empty levels. Remember when your car breaks down you are putting yourself into a situation and causing a distraction for other motorists, which can lead to accidents. And we all know how curious drivers can be when they drive past an accident scheme or car standing still. I see myself as very lucky as I have never lost or known someone that lost a family member due to a car accident. This does not mean that it will never happen to you, but I do think that people only change their actions if something bad happens to them.

But talking about distractions, my mom is the worst when it comes to cell phones. She does not use it while she drives, but she keeps it on her lap. I constantly tell her to put her phone inside one of the compartments or just put the phone on silent, as she loses focus when she receives a message. Everyone knows, no matter the circumstances, never use your phone while driving. I would really suggest that a refresher course is enforced every 5 years as people tend to forget the rules of the road.

The Drivers Education program provides you with instruction, discussion of accident types, and rules of the road that can reduce the likelihood of an accident. Practising and simulating crash avoidance, stopping, steering, backing, parking, city driving, multiple lane roadway driving, highway driving, turning in your lane, driving after sunset, and knowing where you are on the road can make a difference as you can evaluate your skill and competencies that can reduce the number of accidents on the road.

Being safe is not only understanding and remembering the driver’s guide but requires experience, focus and practice. A good driver comes with experience and unfortunately, young drivers have too much confidence, which causes accidents. Remember your brain can only engage in a certain amount of mental activity. When you are driving you need to observe the distance, speed, road signs, blind spots, distractions, and pedestrians and you also need to anticipate what is happening ahead. You constantly need to evaluate the risk and require you to be focused so do not use your phone or any other devices.

Stay calm, use your seat belt, follow the speed limit, no drinking and driving, and respect the lives around you. Remember your actions can save or kill a life. Be safe, be responsible and educate!