My Life Depends on It

After researching and pondering on the importance of driver education in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving several reasons became obvious. Driving is a privilege that provides many benefits like confidence, independence, convenience and responsibility. But before one can take part in this activity you have to be educated and trained. There is a lot to driving when it comes to appropriately operating and using a vehicle and its assets like mirrors, turn signals and its communication/warning systems, learning the signs and rules of the road, acutely being focus and present at every moment for the unknown, interacting with other people, vehicles or objects and being accountable for your actions and sometimes for the actions of others. Education is the process where individuals are enlightened and driver education is no different. The topics that are covered provide instruction and education to its students. Along with the benefits of driving there are many potential consequences and driver education is one way to discuss and bring these issues to the forefront. It is often said that when you know better you do better. However, that may or may not be the case but when you have been made aware we can take ignorance out of the equation and the person can be provided with the opportunity to do better from the results of making an informed decision.

In a driver education class the curriculum includes topics like the rules of the roads, defensive driving, how to operate a vehicle in varying road and environmental conditions and the importance of vehicle maintenance and routine inspections. It also covers topics on possible and common fatalities that are due to driving. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the major risk factors for death due to driving are the direct results of impaired driving, speeding and not using seat belts. When a driver is impaired we know that their reaction and decision making time is increased, their perception and coordination is distorted and their overall cognitive function like memory and vision are reduced. This agency further details that about half of drivers or passengers who died in crashes in the United States were not buckled up. This statement alludes to the fact that if they were buckled up then death may not have occurred. Next, speeding comes with its own set of consequences as it reduces the amount of time the driver has to react, increases the vehicle’s stopping distance and reduces the effectiveness of the safety measures like guardrails to protect and to be a barrier. It takes time for the brain to process events under normal circumstances and when time is of the essence an increase to the amount of time needed is never a good thing. Lastly, distracted driving seems to be a hot topic related more to my age group due to texting. But that is simply not the totality of this case as people of all ages’ text and sometimes text while driving. Furthermore, distracted driving encompasses three areas including visual, manual and cognitive. Visual is when you take your eyes off of the road, manual is when you take your hands off the wheel and cognitive is when you take your mind off of driving. This can happen at any time to any of us and we as drivers have to be more aware and alert. Driver education class presents these statistics and examples where all students can be made aware and emphasizes this reality through lecture, PowerPoint, video and personal testimonials. One of the most impactful examples that I remember from driver education class how the instructor gave the analogy that if you are driving at 55 miles per hour and take your eyes off of the road to read or send a text that is like driving the length of a football field with your eyes close, imagine that!

Personal responsibility can absolutely decrease the number of deaths related to driving. Simply put, none of us are perfect but we can do the basics like never drive impaired or under the influence of alcohol or any drug, allow plenty of time to get your destination so that speeding will more likely not be an option, always buckle up so that you give yourself and others the best chance of survival in case of an accident and do away with distracted driving by always being focused and present on the task at hand. If everyone would take personal responsibility, adhere to the mandates and have respect for the process and all life this type of unnecessary death would most certainly decrease.

I have never been in a car accident but I have seen drivers drive irresponsibly and have seen the results of various types of accidents. I believe that people take things for granted, become complacent, make bad or wrong decisions and view driving as a business as usual event. Often times, hindsight is 20/20 and if people could have do overs in life they probably would. When they think of the events that have transpired they would have taken the time to allow for plenty of time, slow down, buckle up and not do drugs at least before driving. Accidents will happen in life that is a known. However, I like to control the things that I can control and appreciate the difference in knowing the things that I cannot control. I can be a better driver by adhering to the recommendations that driver education class and other’s misfortunes have taught me. I can implement safe driving habits and embrace my effective routine of driving which will essentially become my personal driving habits. I will acknowledge and analyze the things that I have experienced while driving in order to be more effective. I will respect the driving process and my instincts by allowing time for me to react and hopefully avoid a catastrophic event. By taking and paying attention in driver education class I am more prepared for the driving experience and have a base for which I am able to reference and be thankful for.