Name: Maama-Baindu Tinde Koroma
From: Houston, Texas
Votes: 0
Be
Educated In The Front Seat
By
Maama-Baindu Koroma
One second is
all it takes for a mishap to occur behind the wheel of a vehicle. As
much as we may not realize it, the metal we are encased in when we
drive is not enough to protect us from external factors of the road,
which is why drivers ed is a crucial step in the process of
safe driving.
Most drivers,
especially novices, are oblivious to the fact that the average amount
of deaths involving vehicles on American highways has surpassed the
casualty amount of people in one year (due to driving), and the
Afghanistan and Iraq War combined. Drivers ed is important in
reducing the number of deaths due to driving because it helps prepare
one for the dangers of the road not only physically, through skill
training, but mentally. In drivers ed, one is taught how to be
prepared for interaction with other drivers and how to engage in
driving habits that not only prevent crashes but keep the driver and
others safe, which is highly important. A specific example of this
would be the concept of learning how to react in unsafe situations
caused by other drivers and how to not engage in dangerous behaviors
such as distracted and drunk driving, both of which are touched on in
drivers ed. Drivers ed is also important because it
helps create alert and prepared drivers. In drivers ed,
students learn how to be ready for any situation thrown at them and
how to react to these situations in the safest way, which is again,
of the utmost importance. For example, drivers ed teaches one
how to control their speed and look far ahead in order to prepare
themselves for any hazards.
The best way to
become a safe driver and reduce casualties related to driving is to
engage in habits that prevent the probability of getting into a
crash. These include enrolling in a drivers ed course,
driving defensively, and driving with full attention on the road.
Many do not notice, but looking down to change the radio station can
be classified as form of distraction! Commencing habits like changing
controls in the car while keeping one’s eyes on the road and
clearing the car of distractions prior to driving is a good way to
start.
Although I have
never been in a car accident, I have seen the negative results of
irresponsible driving. My brother and my cousin have both
participated in irresponsible driving by taking both hands off of the
wheel and driving with their knees and using their phone while barely
focusing on the road. These habits could cost lives and I make it
apparent to them every time I see the action occurring.
In order to become a better and safer driver, one should fully
educate themselves before getting in the front seat and take
advantage of supplementals like defensive driving courses. Overall,
drivers ed is important because it prepares the drivers in the
front seat.
