Mastering the Road For Safe and Confident Driving

Being a safe driver is looking out for those on the road around you. Driving is a privilege that should never be played with. It comes with many responsibilities and can easily turn into a disaster. However, reckless driving can be prevented. Safe driving is not only about traffic laws or how confident someone is on the road. It is about understanding situational awareness and etiquette before and during driving. The importance of driver education to help reduce the number of deaths includes understanding laws and regulations. Driver education ensures that drivers are well aware of traffic laws and regulations helping them navigate the roads legally and safely. Well-educated drivers are more likely to obey speed limits, stop at red lights and stop signs, and correctly use turn signals to prevent accidents. Drivers must be educated on how to respond to emergencies while driving. Being prepared for unexpected emergencies brings down panic and helps drivers respond peacefully and effectively, lessening the risk of an accident. Types of emergencies include brake failure, intense weather conditions, and blowout tires.

Steps to be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving can include driver awareness campaigns that educate drivers about the dangers of being distracted, speeding, and driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Modern vehicles with hands-free options should be promoted by large car manufacturers. This would help enforce against the use of mobile devices while driving. Another way we can reduce the number of deaths related to car accidents is by encouraging the regular maintenance of vehicles. This will greatly ensure that all features in the car are safe and functioning correctly. When a car isn’t functioning correctly it not only people others in danger but also puts the driver and passengers at risk.

The design of roads can play an important role in the safety of drivers. Road signs that are rusty and unclear can be an easy and fatal accident. Designing roads and maintaining them can help save lives, such as brighter lighting, safer intersections, increasing the production of highway rest stops, and clearer signs. Encouraging the use of public transportation can be a great way of keeping the roads safe. Fewer accidents happen with buses or other public transportation. This can also promote cleaner air for everyone. Offering a good motive for people to use public transportation can be a sufficient way to reduce deaths, such as reduced fares, upgraded service, and better networking. Enforcing more reliable, affordable, and efficient public transportation systems will lessen the number of vehicles on the road, thereby decreasing the possibility of accidents.

I have not experienced a car accident, though I have a family friend who died in a fatal accident caused by a driver under the influence of alcohol. Drunk driving can easily be prevented by taking an Uber, or having a trusted sober friend take you home. A few ways someone can become a better driver may include avoiding distractions for example being on the telephone, or adjusting the radio while driving. Anything can distract a driver and cause an accident. Keeping conversations to a minimum and lowering music so that it is not too loud are good ways to stay focused on the road. Another way to be a better driver is to report dangerous road conditions like large objects or wild animals, this also includes reporting reckless drivers that might be a threat to themselves or others around. Using social media as a way to spread awareness about safe driving practices is a great way to get the attention of younger and newer drivers. When someone uses their knowledge on the media it reaches many people and a lot of times around the world.

A few ways a passenger or someone else can help improve safe driving can be by helping the driver. Many times I drive and need to adjust the AC or change the radio channel but cannot because I need my full attention on the road. With someone to assist the driver by managing navigation or adjusting controls, can be a huge help. Many accidents happen when a driver is distracted by objects in the vehicle, this can be easily prevented when another passenger can assist them. Secondly, a passenger can be of great help by promoting the use of seat belts. Seat belts not only help prevent injury and death during an accident but also are the best defense against other distracted drivers. Reminding passengers to put on their seat belts even during short-distance driving can reduce death by a large number.

In conclusion as a driver, we all can model safe driving. When one driver models safety on the road it will most likely impact another enforcing a chain reaction. Often it takes one person to do the right thing and set an example.