The Road to Safety

Over five hundred signs, four wheels, one driver, and numerous road safety laws. There is any number of things that must be thought about when driving. The safety of those driving and all others in the car or on the road should be the highest priority, though without the proper education, it becomes difficult to make that happen and the road becomes a dangerous place for everyone.

Forty thousand sixty people are estimated to have died in 2020 due to vehicle-related accidents and it should be asked: if they had received more, better, or any driver education, would they have been able to avoid that accident? As previously stated, a lot goes into driving and it is important to know how to handle the many diferent situations that may arise. Being taught how to handle those situations can prepare drivers to safely avoid or resolve them. Knowing what to do when a driver begins to hydroplane, when they hit ice, when their car drifts slightly off the road, or even when their tire blows could help drivers safely avoid a crash or minimize injury. Being taught the rules and laws of the road will also help to keep drivers safe as that is why they are in place. They are not tight restrictions without basis. By knowing the laws, drivers keep traffic moving and do not put themselves or others in dangerous situations. The signs of the road are part of those laws. Speed limits are put in place to keep drivers at a speed that allows them to be able to control their car. Following the limit keeps themselves and others safe. Intersections or lights with “No Turn On Red” or “No U-Turn” are not there to make driving difficult, though they may be aggravating at time. Signs like those are made to keep drivers safe and traffic flowing smoothly and following them benefits everyone.

Only thirty-two states require drivers under the age of eighteen to take a drivers education course. Expanding a drivers education requirement to all fifty states would be a great start to limiting the number of vehicle related deaths. Likewise, expanding the education requirment from only teenagers to all new drivers, no matter their age, would increase the saftey of everyone on the road. The drivers education course itself could also use some improvements. Increasing the breadth of the information taught in the course has the possibility of also decreasing the vehicle associated death toll. The most helpful addition would most likely be the inclusion of real-life practice with the situations discussed earlier. Including practice with all or some of the situations like hydroplaning, ice, quick braking, tires going off the road, and object avoidance could increase road readiness for drivers. Programs like B.R.A.K.E.S, a safe driving program for teens, covers multiple of these situations with real in-car practice. Making more programs like this available for everyone would increase the safety on the road and reduce the number of deaths related to driving.

Seventeen percent of vehicle related deaths are passengers and passangers can increase the risk of an accident. Responsibility must not only be put on the driver but also on the shoulders of parents, siblings, and anyone else who is in the car as a passanger. It is their responsibility as a passenger to keep the driver focused, make sure they follow the rules of the road, and to also make sure that if there are other passengers in the car, that they are not distractions to the driver. Shotgun may be “the best position in the car” but it also comes with responsibilites. To make sure that the person I’m driving with is a safe driver, I will pull up navigation for them, if needed I’ll send their text or email, even open their water bottles or food containers. I know that it is my responsibility as a passenger to make sure the driver can focus on their one job, driving. Though I try my best to keep my driver focused and safe, sometimes unsafe actions happen. I am fortunate enough to not have ever been in a car accident but I have been in multiple cars when they have been pulled over, cars that have gone through red lights, and even cars that have made unsafe and illegal passes. I have also made irresponsible choices when driving. When driving alone, I have tried to open bottles or fix navigation settings and music while the car is moving. I should wait until stop lights to do things like this. If nesccasary I should pull over because these are not things I should do while the vehicle is in motion. I try my best to keep my friends and family safe and responsible when driving and though I slip up from time to time, I also try to follow the stipulations I put on them.

There is always something that can be done, something more that can be learned or taught to increase safety on the road. When possible, find time to educate yourself as well as your family and peers. Remember that though you may be well read on safety and the rules of the road, those that share the road with you may not be. Drive defensivley and drive safe.