Driver Education Initiative – In the Driver’s Seat

In
the Driver’s Seat

Driver
education educates drivers on safe driving techniques, driving habits
and the rules of the road. It ensures the safety of not only the
driver themself but also other drivers. Annually, approximately
34,000 individuals die due to reckless driving in America. Whether
reckless driving is due to texting, eating, talking to your
passengers, doing your makeup, or listening to music, the number of
auto deaths and injuries can be reduced when drivers are mindful of
their surroundings and are aware of the rules of the road.

As
a new driver, I listened to my parents constantly lecture me on
having safe following distances, driving the speed limit, putting the
brakes on sooner rather than later, and most importantly to not
become distracted by my phone. Their precautionary measures were
something of which I took with a grain of salt as I had this
mentality of ‘how could I ever be in an accident?’

I
knew I had to be safe. I knew I had to drive the speed limit. I knew
I had to have a safe following distance. I knew I had to avoid
collisions. I knew I shouldn’t touch my phone while driving, yet my
phone became the greatest contributor to the cause of my own car
accident. To my surprise, it seemed like an accident indeed could
happen to me.

On
a day in which two fellow classmates from my school passed away in a
car accident, I got into my first accident ever myself. Shortly after
leaving my friend’s house after school and heeding her warning to
drive safely after news of my classmates’ death spread, my eyes
wandered off to glance at a text message on my phone as I drove home.
By the time I looked up, I realized that my car would inevitably
crash into the one in front of me due to me not having enough time to
step on my brakes. As a result, the collision happened and I was left
feeling shaky and my mind spinning. Though not a favorable situation
to find myself in, it taught me a lesson to be more mindful of my
actions when I am driving as it demonstrates how easy it can be for
the result of distracted driving to take my life and others. I vowed
to myself after my accident to never allow myself to be distracted by
my phone or other hindrances. Any driver, including myself, is
capable of killing another person even if unintentionally.

This
idea of drivers believing that an accident couldn’t happen to them
gives off a sense of invincibility, which is what happened to me. I
believed I was invincible and that nothing dangerous could happen to
me. When drivers develop this invincibility complex, it can be seen
as a sign to push the limits when driving such as driving over the
speed limit or taking those few seconds when the roads seem clear to
check their phone. Those few seconds to glance at your phone or the
rush of adrenaline you may get by driving a bit faster aren’t worth
your life or others. In fact, it can lead to a fatal car accident
instead. By the time you do find yourself in a car accident, it’s
too late and what’s done has been done. When it comes to driving,
it’s necessary to be cautious in order to prevent collisions. Less
car crashes can happen if drivers take the time to follow the
following steps and to acknowledge the dangers of reckless driving.

When
you step into the car, you should already be searching for your phone
or any other electronic devices to stash away in a glove box, purse,
or backpack. Make sure it’s silenced too! Despite not using your
phone, the familiar notification sounds that your phone makes is
often capable of taking your eyes off the road for a few seconds,
which is why it’s necessary to make sure it is not only stored away
but also silenced. Additionally, some phones such as iPhones have a
feature in which users can enable a ‘do not disturb while driving’
setting. This feature not only silences calls, texts, and other
notifications, it can also notify those who try to reach you through
text by sending an automated reply.

When
your phone is in reach while driving, you risk the temptation of
grabbing your phone to check for notifications or to reply back to a
text. These actions may take a few seconds to do, but while these few
seconds may seem minimal, a few seconds on the road can be equalized
to traveling the length of an entire football field given that you
are going 55 mph. When you reach for your phone, your awareness of
your surroundings declines as you are now focused on two tasks, not
one. On the road, you should only have one task at hand and that is
to drive safely to your destination with no distractions.

While
listening to music helps in passing time and making the car ride an
overall more enjoyable experience, it can often hinder with your
driving ability. It’s recommended for there to be no music at all.
With music, your ability to concentrate on driving declines and your
reaction time decreases. Your reaction time is responsible for the
split second decisions you make while on the road. For example, you
stop the car when pedestrians suddenly jaywalk or cross the street
unexpectedly, or you slow down or keep going when traffic lights turn
yellow depending on how far away you are. On top of that, drivers who
listen to music loudly on their radio may be less susceptible to
hearing sirens from the ambulance, police, or other drivers honking
at them.

In
a rush, drivers sometimes decide to eat in the car as they drive to
their intended destination, which can be extremely distracting for a
driver. They not only have to keep a hand on the wheel, but also a
hand on whatever they are consuming. Those who eat in their car
continually shift their concentration from driving to grabbing a bite
of their food or sipping their beverage, risking crashes. By waiting
to eat when you are no longer driving or making the plan to eat
earlier, you can avoid this distraction easily.

Driving
is a responsibility, not a right. Those who are capable of driving
and willing to follow the rules of the road to prevent danger to
themselves and others are granted the ability to drive. Without your
concentration, you put the lives of everyone, including yourself, in
danger.

Works
Cited

Brokers,
The Knowledge. “What Is 5 Seconds When Texting and Driving?” What
Is 5 Seconds When Texting and Driving?,
www.myknowledgebroker.com/blog/personal-insurance/what-is-5-seconds-its-the-length-of-a-football-field.

“Driving
Safety Tips – Decide to Drive.” DecidetoDrive,
www.decidetodrive.org/get-informed/driving-tips/.

“Eating
While Driving.” DecidetoDrive,
www.decidetodrive.org/distracted-driving-dangerous/eating-driving/.

Mailonline,
Tim Collins For. “Listening to Music While Driving Could Be a
Distraction.” Daily Mail Online, Associated Newspapers, 5 July
2017,
www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4665142/Listening-music-driving-distraction.html.

Summerville,
Tony. “How Far Does Your Vehicle Travel While Looking at Your Cell
Phone?” Atom,
www.fleetio.com/blog/how-far-does-your-vehicle-travel-while-looking-at-your-cell-phone.