Name: Nina Machnowski
From: Verona, New Jersey
Votes: 0
Currently, the
drivers ed class sophomores are required to take as a
semester course is not sufficient enough to ensure safety behind the
wheel. Students learn how to use turn signals, how to parallel park,
and what different road signs mean. However, what they don’t learn
is how quickly one can find themselves involved in a possibly fatal
collision. In America, an average of 34,000 people die each year as a
result of driving. What we call “accidents” are due to
recklessness and a lack of proper drivers ed. Drivers ed
should entail teaching students that it is a privilege to drive, and
that cars are not toys. Going on a “joy ride” not only puts you
as a driver at risk, but it puts any passengers in the car and
pedestrians at risk as well.
As our culture
becomes more dependent on cars for transportation, the probability of
collisions continues to rise. Motor vehicle accidents have become a
crisis. Since more than half of all accidents involve alcohol,
enforcing information and laws that prevent drinking and driving can
greatly reduce the amount of deaths related to driving. Ironically,
most collisions happen at intersections or pedestrian crossings. This
is because although traffic may stop in one direction, traffic
turning from the other direction usually has a green light
simultaneously as the pedestrian crossing signal. This usually causes
confusion and makes crosswalks an area of high risk. Instead of
making pedestrians cross at the same time as cars that are turning,
traffic should stop in all directions when someone pushes the button
to cross.
Unfortunately, I
personally was struck by a vehicle in my freshman year of high
school. I was riding my bicycle on the sidewalk and suddenly a car
hit my side, throwing me into the road. The car was driving out of a
parking lot and instead of coming to a complete stop at the stop
sign, pushed on the gas. Luckily I did not suffer any injuries,
however, I experienced some symptoms of PTSD following the accident.
Because of this event, I know first-handedly how quickly one’s life
can be taken away when one is driving irresponsibly. I became aware
of the fragility of our lives in juxtaposition to the metal and force
of cars.
Practicing good
habits to be a safer driver is easy, however, it takes integrity and
responsibility. First, simply follow the law. Buckle up, never get
behind the wheel if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol,
and always drive the speed limit. Also, resist temptations that will
distract you from driving safely, especially cell phones. When you
get in the car, your sole focus should be getting to your destination
without causing harm to yourself or others. Nothing on your phone is
as important as a life. Finally, drive defensively. You can never
trust the actions of other people. And before you get behind the
wheel, remind yourself that you don’t want to become just another
statistic.
