The Integral Consideration of Driving

Driver’s education is the key to reducing the number of deaths while driving. Although it is horrible to say, people can die by driving every day, however, the possibility can always be reduced. In every scenario, there is always a chance that a driver will be unlucky to come in contact with a bad traffic situation, a truck running a red light, or any unfortunate situation. To prevent death in such situations, every driver must know the ‘ins-and-outs ‘of what driver’s education is; knowing to always turn right in a situation of a head-on collision, understanding traffic laws—and common courtesy—regarding yellow lights, and many more solutions in situations can protect drivers from all backgrounds to be on the same page.

While some say having situational awareness is the perfect solution to reducing the number of deaths related to driving, they’re wrong. Although situational awareness, to keep your eyes scanning the environment around you to be ready to adapt, is important for all drivers to possess, no driver’s education course can prepare drivers for every unexpected situation. However, it is integral to be considerate. Humans are inherently good but also selfish. Driving should not be an act where humanity looks to overtake a driver just to get to the same destination, rather reduce their speed and trail the car with adequate distance. Driving should not be an act where humanity honks at a car for sitting at a green light for two seconds too long, rather understand that the driver may be looking out of the window at the scenery around. Driving should not be an act where humanity indulges in road rage over childish road behavior, rather drivers should accept the possibilities of another human’s situation and consider why their road rage is building to let it go. The ultimate goal to reduce deaths by driving is to make driving a more considerate and accepting place, where humans can work in harmony to be considerate of others’ possible situations.

It was a Thursday morning on my way to school at a red light. Unfortunately, we were late and my mother couldn’t help but try and rush her kids to school. Suddenly, my family’s 2013 Toyota Camry gets rear-ended and my sister and mom jolt in screams. Understanding the situation, I got out of the car briskly and went to check on the other driver. Surprisingly, everyone remained unharmed and the driver from the other car appeared to be a high school student at the same school, in the same rush. At this moment, I knew that the other driver did not mean to rear-end my family’s prized possession at a mere 5 miles per hour, therefore, it was intrinsic that I was considerate of the mistake that the driver made. As I later learned to drive and received my license, I began to view other drivers in a more empathetic light similar to what my first accident gleamed in: a person that made a mistake.

As I drove down a toll road in that same Toyota Camry, my perspective on driving transformed. I refuse to honk at drivers that cut me off slightly; I recognize those that are going 5 over the already 70 miles per hour speed limit—while also keeping my distance; I pay continuous attention to the road and my position in it; above all, I acknowledge the need to be considerate as I drive at such high speeds, and even in low speeds. As I drive at 35 miles per hour down a busy road, I am not infuriated when a car quickly merges into my lane, instead, I hit the brakes and continue with my day. If I see someone on their phone while driving, I keep multiple car lengths between me and the other vehicle and have my hand in position to honk—in case they fall out of their lane. By applying thoughtfulness in my day-to-day driving, I have been able to focus on my driving safety, while also looking out for others’ well-being and plausible situations.

Humans are bound to make mistakes. As we all experience and indulge in short or long drives on the road, we must understand the mistake and stay considerate. By becoming a more considerate driver, you will help protect others and yourself by staying passive and understanding—not to mention the benefits of following a considerate lifestyle. In driver education courses, a unit should be installed about the values of consideration and what it means to be actively working together with other drivers to have a smooth experience. While some may think that this is useless, in the grand population of traffic and driver error, learning how to be considerate will promote better behavior both on and off the road, creating a safer environment for all drivers. Ultimately, with the installation of common courtesy principles and advocating for consideration to be necessary in numerous situations, drivers will strive to be more safe and responsible.