Driving on a Slippery Slope

Growing up, it was just my Mum and me. We lived in a small, red cabin in the middle of the Washington state woods. The type found in some fairytale story— overgrown lawn sprinkled with flowers and an abundance of little woodland creatures popping out of the trees. This sort of fairytale emersion was only possible because of its lack of proximity to, well, everything. About an hour’s drive to the nearest store, plus a half hour to my school, and add another hour to get to my mum’s work. Heck of a gas bill if you ask me. Mum, being a single parent, is a very independent and self-reliant person. There isn’t anything my mum cannot due. This included moving our entire house! It was dead of a North West winter, the snow was stacking up to about half a foot that year. Either unable to afford it or in pure over-confidence my mum decided we didn’t need a moving truck to transport our goods into our new cabin home. We loaded boxes, blankets, and my beloved dog into our Volkswagon Jetta, and off we went into the snow and ice. For most of the ride, the roads were cleared and the snow piled high on the sides. Unfortunately, the further we drove into the rural woods, the less and less the roads were maintained. Coming up on the cabin, the road turned into a steep and curved hill. No guardrail and an instant cliff on the right—obviously not the safest situation. The weight, of the car, the boxes, the dog, and us, met gravity and a literal slippery slope. The car began to slide. Panicked and afraid my mum pulled me out of the car and attempted to run up the hill. The car slid a bit further down. Noticing the dog still trapped inside, my mum ran back, pried him from the back seat, and dashed to meet me. Frantic we all crawled up the icy slope. Upon reaching the top we stopped, turned around, caught our breath, and watched as all our belongings and only mode of transportation slowly slid towards the cliff. Seeing my mum’s saddened face, I watched as her whole body sank. Then and there I realized her guilt. Her independence and over-confidence caught up to her. The dangers of driving are not limited to intoxication and lack of focus, and driver’s education, with proper caution, can save people from situations like the slippery slope.

With driving comes risk. No matter how secure one may feel, being on the road, whether behind the wheel or in the back seat, comes with the risk of injury and even death. Driver’s education is crucial for teaching people the skills and knowledge they need to lessen that risk. Much more than learning how to use the turning signal and buckle a seatbelt, driver’s ed teaches how to properly operate a moving vehicle and safely navigate the roadways. Not only does driver’s education provide the public with manuals and handbooks, all necessary materials meant to teach the laws and regulations, but provides early drivers with test drives or simulations. These test drives or simulations are important in seeing how a person can react in a real-life situation. The more in-action practice they receive, the more prepared they become for the roads. Like any hands-on activity, to be good requires practice. A pianist does not simply perform their first song but takes lessons and practices finger positioning. A football player can not kick the winning goal without prior practice with ball handling. To be good, to be even sufficient, takes practice. When it comes to risking one’s life, this type of practice is not merely suggested but imperative. The knowledge and the practice gained could save a life, and reduce driving-related deaths. The safer the better.

Safety doesn’t stop at driver’s education but continues as long as the driver is on the road. To lessen the rate of driving-related deaths, there must be a healthy amount of safety precautions. Law enforcement regulates drunk and intoxicated driving, as well as speeders and those driving without licenses. But there should be more. What about people stuck in instances like my mum and I’s slippery slope? Steps such as proper maintenance as well as instilling “common sense” must be taken to protect the public and reduce the number of driving-related deaths. In cold weather states, snow gear is not only meant for the person but their vehicle too. Plowing and salting roads is the job of the government, but drivers need to learn personal safety precautions. Learning how to put on chains and using emergency kits are all skills that need to be taught. Even in the instance of popping a tire, one must learn how to change it and have the necessary equipment to do so. It is my opinion that driver’s education should teach these precautions and prepare drivers for any harmful situations. Then, comes the matter of common sense. What seems natural to some might not be natural to others. The reinforcement of basic common sense and the repetition of rudimentary practices when coming to driving may seem obvious and a waste of time, but the extra warnings instill the basic skills every driver needs. Learning to maintaining one’s vehicle and practicing the basics will ensure safer roads and reduce the rate of driving-related deaths.

Personally, what I can do to make the road a safer place and help those around me, is to know my limits, learn the laws, and participate in common sense. Living in Japan, the roadways are a bit different than those back in America. The streets are tighter, the signs are different, and of course, we drive on the left side. I’ve seen people clip motorized scooters, bang into street signs, and park in places they cannot back out of. All of these are not only dangerous to the driver but to everyone on the road. When it comes to the tight streets, I will know my limits. If there seems to be a street too tight or too busy, I should try a different route or another place to park. Simple common sense like this could prevent me from blocking a roadway and being too diffident behind the wheel. When it comes to the different signs, it is essential to understand the difference between the symbols of the United States and Japan. When moving from the U.S. to Japan and going back to the U.S. I will do a bit of safety studying. By diving back into the driver’s manual, I can refresh my knowledge of the two countries’ laws and help keep travelers safe. Being on the opposite side of the road and car will also be a tricky adjustment. I will make sure to change my mirrors and check for other blind spots to ensure my full vision and precautionary safety. As a usual check-up, it would be common sense for me to regularly inspect the maintenance of the car and the conditions in which I am prepared to drive. All these little things add up, and by doing my part I can help keep the road a safer place.

The roads are dangerous places and there are multiple ways to hurt or hurt others. The rate of driving-related deaths is high, but taking driver’s education, learning how to maintain a vehicle, and practicing common sense are sure ways to prevent further accidents. Everyone must pitch in to protect each other and their communities. For me, knowing my limits and re-educating myself about the laws of driving, while jumping between countries, is how I can do my part. Be smart, be cautious, and be consistently so. Driving is a privilege that is given to those who understand the importance of protecting the whole. The continuation of driver’s education should further prepare early drivers for the dangers and risks they may encounter and prevent them from their own slippery slope.