Imagine this: You’re driving down a near-empty road late at night. The sun is setting in front of you, so you pull down your sun visor to protect your eyes. In that moment, a lone black van pulls out sharply in front of you, causing you to have to slam on your brakes to avoid a collision. For most of you, the fear of a collision is a real and rational one. Learning to drive can be a tedious and nerve-wracking process.

Having been a driver for nearly six months, I know all too well the horrible and sometimes stupid things that people can do when driving. Turning and merging without blinkers, making a dangerous and illegal U-turn, running stop signs and red lights. These are just a few of the things that happen on a daily basis, which could, as a result, jeopardize the life of a young driver, or even an experienced driver.

I find that while some drivers can be very nice, others are rude and inconsiderate of their fellow drivers, which can be the cause of an accident on the roadway. Did you know that a courteous driver will flash their brakes when the flow of traffic slows down? How many people actually do this?

I like to consider myself a courteous and well-educated driver who pays attention when she is on the road. I like to think of myself as a person who doesn’t get angry very often and looks at others with sympathy and consideration. However, even I get angry when a fellow driver ignored the fundamental rules of Driver’s Ed in order to make their commute seen a little faster. I think that if everyone slowed down a little bit, paid more attention, and felt a little more empathy for other people they encounter on the road, the driving experience would be much less fearful and a lot more pleasant.