Name: Sakthi Muthukrishnan
From: Saratoga Springs, New York
Votes: 1
Be
the Driver – Navigate Your Next
“In
the driver’s seat” – one need to plan and direct the course
especially by using your senses, as you are responsible for your and
others life who are travelling with you. Driving is not reaching the
destination fast or we are racing to reach first, but how you and
others have experienced in terms of safety, comfort & courteous
when sharing the same road and route with others, which you took to
reach the destination.
As
a driver, we need to set an example for other travelers travelling
with us mainly for younger generations, who learn by seeing and
observing us. These teens and kids are quick learners. We need to
lead by example as educated, knowledgeable, good & safe drivers.
Be the driver to all the teen drivers, to navigate them to the
next level.
Education
will improve your skills to handle your vehicle and follow all the
required traffic rules. Your good habits of following these traffic
rules & safety measures will reduce the number of accidents and
deaths.
Follow
all the good qualities & make it as a habit. Everyone thinks that
they are good driver. It has lot to do with you as a person,
character and your attitude. One cannot become good driver
overnight, but have to practice good habits such as drive after
having a good sleep, do not drink & drive, avoid use of mobile
while driving, be alert and vigilant, avoid distractions, check your
vehicle before driving, check weather, ensure regular maintenance of
your vehicle, be calm and tolerant in all situations, do not panic in
emergency situations and always ensure driver and all passengers put
the seat belts etc. By following these you will be a good driver and
also a safe driver. Just drive while driving.
Automobile
industry has used more advanced technology and we should make use of
it such as voice alert when driving over speed, alert sensors when
other vehicles are on your blind spots, make use of mobile
jammers when inside the running car to stop usage of mobile,
maximum volume should be accepted level only, weather alert
before/during driving, etc. These steps will reduce loss of any life.
No
one is perfect. We make mistakes and we learn from our and others
mistakes. Yes, I witnessed one such mistake done by a driver and
within a blink of an eye an accident happened. Thankfully, both
drivers had minor injuries. This accident happened at the signal,
when a left turning car was hit by a car coming straight “running”
the red signal. The straight coming car toppled and landed upside
down. Luckily both cars had no other adult or child passengers except
for the adult drivers. My family was on the other side inside our car
watching it happen. The car flew in the air and landed just a lane
distance away from us. I could not control my emotions. My dad put
the parking lights on and got down to help. 911 was called for help.
We surely should be alert and have presence of mind and execute the
best action at the moment.
We should not take it easy with driving rules instead follow them to
make it good habit such as all passengers should wear seat belts,
educate the passengers to avoid distractions, be aware of other
vehicles such as motorcyclists, bicyclists or even pedestrians,
children playing, animals and parking or backing up etc. I think, the
latest model of vehicles should have the maximum speed as the
acceptable level such as 65 or 70mph to avoid over speeding and even
automatic self-braking sensors & systems to avoid any collision
to happen. With introduction of “driverless” or
‘self-driving” vehicles with remote monitoring and operations
(may be flying vehicles), we will be entering into a new age of
transportation. Till then be a safe and good driver with presence of
mind, know your limits, be prepared physically, mentally, and
emotionally, while enjoying your feelings driving your vehicle.
