How long ago did you get your driver's license? For me I have been driving since I was 15 ½ years old and received my license at 16. So, it's safe to say I have been driving for a long time since I just turned 49 on the 18th. The reason I ask is because a lot of times we forget the rules of the road, or just disregard them all together. Recently I started a side gig where I am transporting precious cargo to and from their destinations. In order to get certified, I had to take a 9-course defensive driving class. Since I completed that course, my driving has been spot on. I am a very careful driver and now I anticipate what someone is going to do before they execute it. I have watched cars weave in and out lanes, why, because I assume they are in a rush. If you know anything about me, you know that I leave my house way before the time I need to in order to arrive at my destination 30 minutes before the event/meeting starts. I can't stand being late and I’m not going to drive everyone crazy because I didn't plan better. The other thing I have noticed is a lot of people tailgating. If I was still in my old mindset, I would slam on my brakes just to be petty. The bible says in Romans 12:2 to be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable. I am not that person anymore, so now, I just wait for them to pass. After all, I am driving the posted speed limit and traveling in the right lane so the person behind me has every opportunity to go around me. What makes me chuckle just a little, is when I am driving down a highway full of stop lights and folks speed past me just to get stopped at the next red light. I say to myself, all that fussing for nothing, you still got stopped just like everyone else. All I am saying is check your speed.
Below are some stats from https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/Publication/813443#:~:text=In%202021%20there%20were%203%2C211,cell%2Dphone%2Drelated%20activities.
1. 2021, 3,211 fatal crashes were attributed to distracted driving, which was 8% of all fatal crashes.
2. 2021, 804,928 accidents were caused by distracted driving, which is 13% of all accidents that year.
3. 2021, 377 fatal crashes were attributed to cell phone use, which was 12% of all distraction-affected fatal crashes.
4. 2021, the 15- to 20-year-old age group had the highest proportion of distracted drivers involved in a fatal accident at 7%.
I know these stats are from 2021 but you get the idea right?
Anyways, when I reflect back to what I learned way back when, when you approach a 4-way stop the person on the right has the right of way. According to the class I took, the right of way in a four-way stop in Washington state goes to the first driver to reach the intersection at a complete stop. If more than one driver gets there at the same time, the vehicle to the right goes first. When you are really paying attention while on the road, you will notice so many drivers doing other things besides driving: putting on make-up, eating food, having a full-blown conversation on video chat, or even going LIVE on social media while driving. And yes, I have been guilty of a few of these as well in the past, but not anymore. As soon as I hop in my car, I put my cell phone on DND (do not disturb) because I don't want to be bothered until I get to my destination safely. The only people who can get through in an emergency are my kids and my dad, anyone else will have to wait until I park my car.
To be honest, I believe all drivers should have to take a defensive driving class every 5 - 10 years just to refresh themselves on the rules and regulations and bring what they learned to the forefront of their minds. Once they complete the course they are able to renew their drivers license. To those of you who say NO to this idea, make sure you are checking your speed when on the road.
Sending you love, light and positive vibes,
Cassie K.
"Always remember to LIVE life to the fullest, to LAUGH at everything and to LOVE unconditionally!"
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