What would you do? In the Driver’s Seat

When a young person is old enough to get a driving license, it turns out to be one of the biggest emotions, because it means that this teenager is becoming an adult, or even if an adult gets his driving license, it represents some success. However, this success comes with a great responsibility.

It is well known that car accidents happen every single day all around the world, more frequently in big cities. But what is the root cause? If all those drivers count on enough knowledge and evaluation to drive a car, bus, or any other vehicle, then why do those accidents happen every day?

The answer can be both simple and complex at the same time. The easy one can be due to the fact that they forget to follow certain traffic regulations, and as a result, cause accidents. Nevertheless, it is more than just that.

Visiting a foreign country entails reviewing its traffic regulation manual thoroughly. In addition, such norms largely depend upon the country or even the state. For example, Peru has different standards and rules to drive than London, such as the steering wheel placed in the opposite side of the vehicle, making drivers to adapt that change.

Driving education is so important in order to prevent any accident which can end up in death. Furthermore, it involves a big responsibility. Responsibility that someone accepts to take on when they get a license. Why not encourage that engagement? Not only is the vehicle which suffers the damage, but also the driver can get hurt, eventually a co-pilot, or even worse an entire family. Likewise, those who are waiting for their loved ones on the other side of the path, at home or somewhere else expect to see them safe and sound.

In order to prevent any accident from occurring there are some actions that can be taken such as, avoiding using phones when driving, taking enough rest the day before so the driver can be aware in the path, not drinking any alcohol before driving and most importantly using the seat belt.

Becoming aware of the responsibility that we assume as a driver is the main change. Following the rules strictly, being cautious, respecting other drivers are some of the things that can make a difference, as a Pareto’s method. We can change only the 20% of our acts and they will resent the 80% of the results.

Sometimes a good story had to be told to take some conscious. Some time ago my mom told me that she had had a traffic accident when a young. She was with some friends going back home from the beach and the driver at that moment was playing with another car. Driving very fast neither was with the seat belt buckled, they were listening to music and having fun, a normal group of guys going back to the beach. Although they had consumed some alcohol, they were not totally drunk but alcohol level in the blood anyway. Unfortunately, the speed, alcohol and excitement are not good friends. That is why the driver could not react as fast as he was driving and ended up crashing with another vehicle that was on the road. The car was destroyed, and the other vehicle had some damage but not as much as my mom’s friend’s. Fortunately, the accident was not as serious as it could have been. However, my mom had an injury on her back, which is still there until now. The lesson that they learned at that time was never go faster than it is allowed. Rules were set for a purpose and if people downplay them, there will be no use crying over spilt milk.

Regardless of the story that my mom told me many years ago, I learned that as a driver I must follow rules, not going more than the speed permits, always wearing a seat belt and not driving if alcohol is drunk. Those are the steps that I recall to avoid accidents, and I always recommend my friends to do the same. To make it happen whenever I drive someone, the first thing that I say is put your seat belt on, be on time, which means do not leave to the last minute to go somewhere. I make up my mind and leave with plenty of time in advance, by doing it so I do not need to be in a hurry. Even if that means pushing the other person to do their things faster, otherwise we will eventually pay the consequences of our lateness.