Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.

— Oscar Wilde.

It is very easy for someone, anyone, to get distracted on the road in a way that can cause them so much destruction. Road rage, drunk driving, selfishness, are all common ways people end up in a situation they didn’t ask for. Growing up, my father always taught my brother and I to drive safe and responsibly. Staying calm was always an important factor when driving. Driving stressed, or tense can impair your driving ability more than one would think so. Living in San Diego, accidents can be common, especially due to road rage. There are many inconsiderate people on the road, and allowing one to negatively impact your character can result in a very drastic situation. Even in situations where you do experience someone being inconsiderate, “freaking out is not the way to go,” my dad would say. Driving while panicked, angry, etc. can cause as much damage as driving drunk would. There’s hardly a difference. Being able to stay calm and focused are the two main factors my family and I use when driving. Being able to stay focused, especially, is a huge factor that plays into driving safe. It’s easy to be careless when you’re driving by yourself, but when your with 4 other people, whom you love and care about so much, the thought of ever being responsible for losing them is enough to keep your head on straight when driving, especially under stressful conditions. Not being overly loud, and/or playing loud music is another way my father taught me how to stay safe, and keep others safe on the road. Loud noises can prevent you from hearing what’s going on around you, and believe or not, the sounds of sirens and horns are much more important and play a much bigger role in your driving than you think. Don’t even get me started on staying sober behind the wheel. Driving under the influence, any influence, is the most careless and selfish thing you could do, especially if your driving with family or friends. Knowingly putting, not only yourself, but those you love in danger is the most damaging situation you could be in, and it even says a lot about your mental strength and character. If your under the influence while driving, every other important factor that helps you stay safe on the road is automatically thrown out the window because you’re not in your right mind when you’re not sober. Not only is your focus impaired, but your judgement is heavily impaired, and good judgement is what plays a huge factor in you still being alive after the many times you get in your car and go somewhere. Staying safe on the road is so much more easier than breaking any rules that put you and your family/friends at risk of getting hurting, or worse. Putting yourself in any type of danger while driving is much harder than keeping a good sense of judgement, and always doing what’s right when you’re behind the wheel.