Driving is not a Right, it is a Privilege!

Driving safety is important not only for teenagers who are not accustomed with the road, but also for adults. Many people take driving safety for granted, not realizing that driving is a privilege, and not a right. Even if they have a valid license, and in theory know the rules of the road, they think that if they are in a hurry, then they can drive at a higher speed than allowed, or drive recklessly. But what they don't realize is that if they get into an automobile accident as a result of their driving, then people's lives could be lost, or property damaged.

The rules of the road should apply to everyone, all the time. We should always be driving defensively, which means driving in such a manner as to save lives in spite of the conditions on the road. We as drivers need to anticipate dangers of every situation, and be prepared for the worst. That means slowing down and letting traffic pass, driving at the speed limit, and following traffic signs and lights.

The use of mobile phones on the roads increases the risk of automobile accidents because the driver is less aware of the situation on the road, and instead, focused on the phone call. Because using mobile phones makes the driver distracted and inattentive on the road, many countries have banned the use of mobile phones while driving.

Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs is illegal because it impairs the driver's judgment, mental and motor skills. There are two criminal offenses: DUI, or driving under the influence of alcohol, and driving with BAC (blood alcohol concentration) of 0.08% or higher. It is also a criminal offense to be driving under the influence of drugs. Driving without getting enough sleep beforehand, or sleep deprived driving, is a very dangerous practice, as well, because the person is sleepy, and not thinking clearly. Depending on the extent of the offenses mentioned above, if a person gets pulled over for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, it can be considered a misdemeanor, or a felony in the case of property damage or hurting a pedestrian. That person will likely have their license suspended, as well.

Aggressive driving, which happens when a driver behaves with contempt towards other drivers, is very dangerous as it increases the risk of automobile accidents. Such a person gets offended when others pass or cut off him/her on the road. While retaliating, these people drive recklessly, and may drive in such a manner as to injure the other person. This behavior is called road rage. We need to realize that we are following the rules when driving, and that our personalities should not affect our driving habits. We all need to practice defensive driving, and drive carefully, following all the signs and regulations of the road.