Be the Hero. Get Educated.

Be
the Hero. Get Educated.

By
Maya Zamor

It
is of the utmost importance that every driver receives an adequate if
not exceptional drivers ed. Drivers ed reduces the number
of car accident-related deaths by exposing future drivers to a
multitude of scenarios that can happen on the road. For example,
watching educational videos can show students how to drive when it is
raining or when the roads are icy. An instructor can give a lecture
on what to do if a car slows down in front of them or comes too close
behind them. This allows the student to avoid or work through
difficult situations on the road that could otherwise result in a
crash, and unfortunately, casualties. Other steps can also be taken
to reduce the number of driving related deaths. One of the most
important ones is knowing who you are as a driver. This can be the
difference between life and death. If you are a newer driver, perhaps
listening to music on the radio is not a good idea and should wait
until you have more experience. Or, if you get easily distracted by
conversations, drive alone or with a friend or family member who will
not distract you. Those who get sleepy around 8:00 pm should not be
on the road at 9:30 pm, and so on. Doing this could prevent many
unnecessary car accidents caused by lapses in judgement. Another
important step is maintaining your car. If car maintenance is not
taught in your drivers ed course, you should at least read your
car’s manual and keep it in an accessible place, and as soon as
possible learn how to change a tire, check your oil, and anticipate a
shortage in gas. Doing these things are essential to driving safely
because if your car is not safe, you are not safe. I am grateful to
never have been in a car accident, but I have been in a situation
where the driver let the gas run dangerously low. Running out of gas
in the middle of the road could cause you to stop suddenly and other
drivers to crash into you from behind. I have also been in a
situation where the driver was on his phone with minors in the car.
It is important to know how to be a safe driver even when you are not
the one behind the wheel. I
saw what he was doing and told him to stop, possibly preventing a car
accident from his lack of attention to the road. I later told the
children in the car to never let someone be on the phone when they
are driving. This is also important–educating others so that they
can prevent future accidents because they know better.