Drive Safe, Save Thousands

The number of deaths due to irresponsible and uneducated drivers stands at 34,000 and is continuing to increase. Much of this issue can be attributed to irresponsible and careless drivers, but there is also a substantial number of deaths that are the consequences of uneducated drivers being allowed on the roads. With this problem in mind, the importance of driver education has become even more apparent. Through stricter new driver standards and more thorough education programs, the risk people are put at when they get in their car will be minimized. As someone who has had family members and friends be affected by unsafe driving practices, this issue is important to me and I will encourage others as well as myself to continuously adopt safer driving practices.

The test one takes to receive their driver’s license is lax in most states. The general consensus I have come to from my peers’ recollection of their test, is that it does not take much effort or knowledge of driving to pass. One major issue in this process is the accountability for how many hours the driver has spent practicing with their permit. I know many people who lied about meeting the requirement for hours practiced, all of which got away with it. This unfortunately means there are highly inexperienced drivers getting on the road, most likely causing accidents, and sometimes deaths, to occur. A stricter system that holds the permit holder accountable will help solve this problem. Similar to a job, the permit holder could clock in using an app on their phone that could track their speeds and driving routes. Alternatively, new drivers could be required to complete monitored driving practice for part of, or all of, the hours required to get one’s license. Once the driver takes the test, the route should be more realistic and slightly complicated. The fact is, once they’re out on the road, no one else is going to take it easy on them. I remember my driving test was one big circle where I turned once at an intersection and then once into the parking lot of the DMV. I suggest a more realistic route and encourage adversity within the test.

Another step that can be taken in reducing the number of deaths related to driving is educating kids early on regarding the dangers of unsafe driving practices, what unsafe driving practices are, and how to spread their knowledge once they’ve gained it. Having required classes for freshman students in highschool that educate them on safe driving practices would have a positive impact on the number of deaths that are the result of driving, drastically decreasing the statistics. Safe driving practices that should be taught include: wearing your seatbelt, not getting on your phone, making sure you’re familiar with driving laws, and making sure you’re educated about various street sign meanings. Encouraging students to promote these safe driving practices within their social circles will help as well. There are steps that even experienced, educated drivers can take to help others become safer on the road. By encouraging my peers to adopt these same safety practices and then share them with others, I can start a trend of safe driving. Additionally, you can never learn everything about anything. I could make an effort to learn even more about safe driving practices by doing research and consuming reliable media on the topic.

As I mentioned before, I know multiple people who have been in car accidents. These vary in severity and luckily none resulted in death; however I know people who have been on both ends of the situation. I can remember the night my aunt crashed her car and my family had to drive out to go help her. This was due to unsafe driving practices that she had adopted in her lifestyle that needed to be corrected. I also remember the time my family was in the car and a distracted driver backed straight into us, severely damaging the trunk of our vehicle. If distracted driving was more frowned upon, there’s a possibility that situation would not have happened.

In conclusion, the number of deaths a year due to driving related accidents is disappointing and appalling. Cracking down on those who are seeking out licenses, holding them accountable, promoting education about safe driving in school, and always being willing to learn more will actively work towards lowering that staggering statistic. After both personally knowing irresponsible drivers and being affected by one, I feel all the more strongly about this subject. It is a societal problem and can be changed for the better. We just have to be willing to put the work into finding and executing a solution such as those I mentioned previously.