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Drive It Like You Own It, Not Like You Stole It

A few words of wisdom to new drivers.

by Philip Karlberg

    One of the most significant moments in my life thus far was when I first took the car out by myself. Keys in hand, I set off in my mom’s teal minivan destined for Chipotle.
    The freedom was something I had never experienced before.
    For most teenagers, including myself, a driver’s license is a ticket to freedom. I have had a car of my own for about a year, and my license for nearly a year and a half. During that time, I have learned that along with this rush of freedom comes great responsibility. For many people, the most power they will ever have is when they are rolling down the road at 60 miles per hour. In the year or so that I have had my car, I have learned many valuable lessons and now I hope to teach others before they are forced to learn them the hard way, like I did.
          A car is more than just a mode of transportation; it can be a weapon as well. 5000 pounds of metal rolling down the road at 60 mph is more than enough power to end lives. As drivers, every time we turn the key we not only put our lives in the hands of others on the road, but they put their lives in ours. As drivers we all must watch out for each other and be responsible for what we do behind the wheel.
          Throughout my driving career, one lesson I have learned over and over is to PAY ATTENTION. Much of what happens on the road is out of my control as a driver, and therefore it is essential that I remain alert and aware of what is going on around me so that I can react as fast as possible to whatever comes up. At intersections, residential areas, and going around corners it is especially important to be aware of everything going on in the area. Excessive speed and other illegal acts can cause accidents, but by far the most common culprits behind the accidents on the road are people who do not pay attention. The distractions that people allow while they are driving are as numerous as they are dangerous (and sometimes they are so bazaar I can't help but find them quite humorous). Cell phones, makeup, eating, pampering pets and other distractions all take drivers’ minds off the road and endanger everyone. Once, my friend and I saw a man flossing while driving down the road. I’ll admit that dental hygiene is a good thing (in fact there's a topic for my next editorial) but there are far more appropriate places where this personal hygiene ritual can be exercised.
          Whenever anyone gets into my car, he or she is putting his or her life in my hands. The responsibility that comes with this is enormous. When friends are in the car it is all the more important to be careful and responsible. As strange as it is, in my experience, passengers in a car often pressure the driver to be more reckless; something that does not seem to really make sense for their own preservation. For their sake as well as my own, I do not let others affect my driving in an adverse way.
          Although this has never really been a problem for me, my experience with other drivers has shown me how important it is to be confident on the road. Being a nervous wreck behind the wheel will quickly get you into an actual wreck. Despite all the responsibility of driving, it is not something we should fear. Caution is necessary, but fear can be dangerous.
          Confidence is important when driving, but overconfidence can be just as dangerous. Overconfidence, when mixed with a thirst for adrenaline, makes a volatile cocktail that endangers everyone on the road. When in doubt, always err on the side of safety, because losing control at high speeds is a dangerous move.
          Another one of the many hazards of driving is adverse weather. Rain can lead to hydroplaning (a condition when the tires ride up over the thin film of water on the road, and the car skates off the road), and can reduce visibility, especially at night. Snow and ice require extreme caution, as well. On the up side, the low speeds that most drivers employ on snowy roads make most accidents superficial and, although they may be costly, tend to be less life threatening to passengers. The down side to snow and ice is that accidents become more common. Give yourself much more time to do things than you expect you need, because after a summer of driving on sticky dry roads, the snow is a surprisingly different experience.
          The destination of the car requires just as much responsibility as the actual act of driving. The freedom from the watchful eye of parents and the supervision of adults is both liberating and risky for those who are not careful with their actions. As crazy as the advice of parents may seem, it is often true. One bit of wisdom that helps in almost any situation is the phrase, “Think before you act.” As people, we are capable of making wise decisions…if we use our heads.
           Having a license requires maturity. Driving and the freedom it creates should not be scary or frightening, but it should be taken very seriously. 40,000 people die on the roads every year due to reckless and careless driving. Often high school is portrayed as a time to be carefree, impulsive and spontaneous, and there is nothing wrong with that, much of the time. But when peoples’ lives are at risk it is no time to be spontaneous or carefree. As a traveler who places my life in the hands of others every time I turn the key of my car, I am equally obligated to be careful with their lives, as well.

Spartan Edition

Copyright © 2007 Thomas Jefferson Journal