Be Patient Before You Pull Off

Most people are more scared of getting into an airplane or train than they are getting into a vehicle, even though the likelihood of being in an airplane crash is way less plausible than being in a vehicular accident. Everytime a person gets behind their steering wheel they’re chances of being in an accident are 1 in 5,000, compared to an airplane crash which is 1 in 1.2 million, according to researchers at Harvard University. Pilots have to go through extensive training and school to fly a plane even though the odds of it crashing are practically never, while drivers can get a license just based on age and a quick exam. Drivers must be educated on the dangers of the road and how they can conduct themselves safely for their own wellbeing, and the wellbeing of others around them.

Driver safety goes farther than just buckling your seatbelt, and making sure to check your mirrors. Driver safety goes as far as your patience and your ability to make rational decisions, which both can affect the amount of drivers that are in fatal accidents each year. While most drivers have patience and can make clear decisions it only takes one driver to run a red light or to switch lanes prematurely that can lead to an unwanted event. In order for the amount of deaths due to car accidents to go down, more drivers need to practice patience behind the wheel, and need to focus more on the decision they make rather than just getting to their destination quicker. Say for example a driver is already five minutes late to work and they don’t have too much further to go, they approach a light that changed to yellow three seconds prior and they decide to slam on their gas in an attempt to make the light. Instead of slowing their car down to a stop, the driver impatiently runs the light and also hits another driver that had the right of way causing a fatal accident. If this driver had made the more rational decision of slowing down, or had more patience despite being late for work a life could have been conserved. Drivers need to be emotionally ready to show patience and decision making skills each and every time they get behind the wheel, because everyone would rather be five minutes late to work than in jail for reckless driving and vehicular manslaughter.

Driver safety can change a life in just the blink of an eye, and I know this from personal experience. One day I was running errands, and I approached a red light which caused me to stop turning into the Walmart parking lot. As I was sitting in the turning lane waiting for the light to give me a green arrow a driver in a small blue Toyota stopped behind me but was slowly inching forward. The driver behind the wheel had completely taken their eyes and attention off of the road and to their phone. By the time they looked up because of the sound of my horn he’d already hit the back of my car causing damage mostly to his own. We both pulled into the Walmart parking lot and exited our cars. Firstly, he begins to apologize and offer me his information for insurance, but I suggested that we call the cops so that there is no confusion as to who was at fault for the damage to either of our cars. Immediately his demeanor changed, his reason being that his car had way more damage than mine, and that he really didn’t want to deal with the cops. Well, eventually I just ended up calling the cops anyway and when they searched his license multiple tickets had popped up and a warrant for failure to appear in court. This small fender bender caused him to face jail time. If he’d simply not been on his phone neither of us would have had any inconvenience on that day. If he had not been on his phone he wouldn’t have been placed in jail following the accident.

Though there are many driver safety handbooks and pamphlets out there, drivers couldn’t care less to pick them up and review a couple of things so I will include some small steps that we can all take to be safer, smarter, and more effective drivers. Firstly, being completely focused on the road, and not just what’s in front of you. Being a safe driver requires you to pay attention to all of your surroundings so that you are aware of future decisions you need to make. Secondly, stay off of your phone. Texting and driving increases that likelihood that you will not only be in a car accident but a fatal car accident. Phone calls can wait or you can have your calls sent through your car to limit you from touching your cell phone at all. Thirdly, do not be impatient. It is not worth the time, the money, the loss, or the pain. Be patient, your destination will not grow legs and run away if you slow down at a yellow light or wait for cars to pass before turning out onto the street. Finally, fourthly, think. Think about how many people you could impact, and how many lives you can change every time that you get behind the wheel. Think of the children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews that are counting on their guardian to make it home. Think of your own family and people that really care about you before you make a split second decision that could alter their lives forever.

Each and every single time you click your seatbelt and select a song to play, remember to be patient and smart as you pull out of your driveway.

Resources: Bailey, Joanna, et al. “How Flying Today Is Safer than at Any Time in the Past.” Simple Flying, 1 May 2023, simpleflying.com/how-safe-is-flying/#:~:text=Your%20odds%20of%20being%20in,rest%20of%20our%20guides%20here!