Eyes Up, There’s A Whole Road Ahead of Us

I cannot speak for everyone when I say drivers ed left
permanent fears of car crashes on its students, but for me, my
courses ensured I think about everything I do while on the road. I
believe drivers ed is an essential resource to keep new drivers
safe, and the ones dozing off during a day of long lectures are
missing information that could keep them alive. Among the hours spent
learning about road signs, and dotted or solid lines, drivers
education puts students in real life scenarios to demonstrate the
dangers of distracted driving. As a leading cause of car crashes,
wearing drunk goggles while navigating through cones gives young
adults enough insight to know driving under the influence will take
them off-roading.

Knowledge is power, and in the case of deaths related to driving,
information is the only way to reduce the toll. As with anything, the
more people drive, the more comfortable they become doing so.
However, comfort becomes complacency and when people become
complacent with the way they drive, accidents occur. I believe it is
important to continue educating people no matter how long they have
been behind the wheel. This can be implemented through brief online
classes or short quizzes to touch up on the rules of the road.

I have only had minor experiences with car crashes, but the shock I
feel after hearing my family and friend’s stories is enough to make
me believe I was in the car with them. When I think about safer
driving, my mind immediately redirects to phones. Specifically, for
teenagers, phones are major distractors that too easily take their
eyes off the road. When I drive, I work to put my phone in a place
where I cannot see it, and I make sure my notifications are silent so
I have no urges to fumble for my device. As far as keeping others
safe, I always take control of the driver’s phone when I am in the
passenger seat of anyone’s car and control the radio so both their
hands stay on the wheel. I cannot say I ever get into a car without
fear, but I know I can only control myself and I will stay safe as I
take away all my distractions and focus on the road ahead.