Being a responsible driver

“Sheltering people from natural consequences teaches irresponsibility.”- Stephen R. Covey. Irresponsibility in the sense that represents an individual that lacks the ability to be accountable. Picture an ecstatic teenager who acquired his license. Enthusiastic to flaunt his new skill, he invites his friends for an outing. During the ride home, his friends, fun-loving and playful, blast the music and sing at the top of their lungs. The driver, feeling left out of the excitement, joins in the sing-a-long. Between the cheerful singing, boisterous friends, and booming bass, he did not see “it”. “It” being the red traffic light. All of a sudden there was a loud bang that rang through his ears. The car flips. The end result: the laughing, jubilant teens lost their lives. Oftentimes, teenagers do not understand the consequences of irresponsible driving, myself included. This story is only a pebble in the mountain of catastrophes that can occur when someone loses focus while driving. To be a responsible driver, it is important to drive defensively, limit distractions, and follow the rules of the road.

An accountable driver always drives defensively. When a person who thinks with caution is behind the wheel, he is more likely to anticipate others. In an instance where the watchful individual is making a left turn, he is able to predict if the others will continue or also be making a turn. If a motorist concentrates on safety, he or she is more cautious. To illustrate, when the driver is passing another vehicle, she will double check her mirrors, blind spot, and the other lane all to ensure security. While operating a vehicle with caution, a person can identify potential hazards. In a moment where a person is behind a semi-truck that is carrying lumber, the individual will be able to see that this is a hazard. The reason being, the logs on the truck are not tightly secured. Driving on the defensive is not the only element in being a responsible driver. Being able to nullify distractions also plays a role in accountability on the road.

A person who limits his or her diversions in a vehicle is a conducted driver. When there are less disturbances such as music or people, a motorist is more likely to focus on the road. When someone is behind the wheel and listening to her favorite song, she sings at the top of her lungs. While she is singing, she takes her eyes off the road for one second and “BAM!”. She rear ended another vehicle. When an individual takes away the distractions, he is unlikely to miss road signs. While a driver and passenger argue, the autoist does not see the upcoming stop sign. He drives past it and gets into an accident. Whoever lessens his disruptions is rarely bothered by external factors. External factors could be a car accident that happened on the side of the road. In that instance, the driver will keep his concentration and pass it. A responsible driver is not only able to limit his distractions but is capable of following the rules of the road.

The most important aspect of driving properly is adhering to traffic laws. These rules were made for a reason and must be followed. Seat Belt laws are a great example of this. Many citizens have died due to not having their seat belts on. It is a must to follow laws because they have been tested. A rule of the road would not be there unless it has been proven to keep an individual safe. It is also known that a person is less likely to get into an accident when he or she obeys traffic laws. For instance, a person who is responsible while driving will make sure to stop at signals and stop signs, not speed, and always wear his seatbelt. Reflecting traffic laws makes a responsible driver.

There are three distinct characteristics that a responsible driver has: driving defensively, limiting distractions, and following the rules of the road. When a motorist advances on the road with precaution in mind he is more likely to anticipate others, cautious, and can identify potential hazards. If an autoist limits diversions he is focused, unlikely to miss road signs, and unbothered by external factors. Finally, an accountable driver follows the rules of the road because they were made for a reason, they have been tested for a reason, and the person behind the wheel is less likely to get into an accident.