Knowing and Following Driving Ruled for your safety and others.

Driver education is important in reducing the number of deaths on the roads. Drivers need to know the correct rules while driving on the road. I have seen drivers pass by police officers on the side of the road with the lights on. They do not follow the Texas Move Over Law which requires us to move over a lane or slow to 20 mph below the speed limit for emergency vehicles, law enforcement, tow trucks, utility service vehicles, TxDOT vehicles, or other highway construction or maintenance vehicles using visual signals or flashing lights. I do not think drivers are aware this rule also includes construction or maintenance vehicles. We have so much construction in my hometown of San Marcos and drivers are not following this rule. I have also seen drivers drive faster when the yellow light is present instead of slowing down. I have also seen drivers continue driving while an ambulance or a fire truck is traveling on the road. We also have drivers texting and driving, driving under the influence, and distracted drivers.

We could take the following steps to help reduce the number of deaths related to driving.

1. Create safe driving ads on all social media plate forms. Especially the Texas Move Over Law which puts a lot of our first responder’s life at risk.

2. Create positive online games that help teach the rules of the road while entertaining young and older drivers.

3. Create more self-driver evaluation contests like this one. Place them on every social media so drivers can reflect on their driving.

4. Offer refresher courses which will also lower insurance premiums.

I was recently in a horrible car accident. It changed my life and the direction I was heading. I originally was not going to go to college. I worked in the construction/manufacturing industry as soon as I got out of high school in May 2020. Last August I worked the night shift and was headed to work but never arrived. I lost control of my car and hit a guardrail. I was airlifted to BAMC in San Antonio Texas. I broke 6 ribs, dislocated my left arm, and broke my pelvis in three different areas. I also lost my spleen and one kidney. I was not able to walk on my own for 4 months. My 21^st birthday was spent at home in a wheelchair. I do not remember what happened when I hit the guardrail. All I know is I was on my way to work on a Monday evening and woke up on a Friday. August 8^th will be the 1-year anniversary of my accident. I was given a second chance at life and will be a better driver.

To be a better driver I can evaluate my driving habits and improve on them. I can also encourage other drivers to do the same so they can become safer drivers as well. For example, driving while distracted is a huge problem among youth We sometimes eat while driving to save time, but it is a distraction. One way to eliminate this distraction is to park and eat before driving off. This would also allow us to enjoy our meals and not stress while trying to eat and drive. I do not personally text and drive, but I do change the music while I drive. I have noticed this is a distraction to my driving. One way to eliminate this distraction is to choose and start my music before I turn the key and turn on the car. I can have a playlist on my phone connected to my radio,

Phone calls are another distraction for me and others. I answer the phone while driving because I have younger siblings and feel the call may be from them. I know it is a distraction and will place my phone in driving mode before I turn the key and after I start my music. I will also encourage people I know to do the same. I can make it a habit to turn my music on and place my phone in driving mode. I will also call home before I leave work/school and ask if they need anything before, I turn the key. Thank you for this opportunity to evaluate my driving habits and make a plan to correct them.

I can personally pass the word on to my friends and people I know online and help them to take similar steps by encouraging them to self-evaluate their driving habits and create more positive safe habits.