Name: Sara-Izabel Abbasova
From: Marlborough, Massachusetts
Votes: 0
Sara-Izabel
Abbasova
In
the Driver’s Seat Essay
November
2019
Alert
Today – Alive Tomorrow
BAM! The
sound of a car crumpling behind us is heard as we are thrown forward.
All I could think was “Oh no. Anything but this, why does this have
to happen to me?” A young woman had hit our car as we stopped at a
stop light. I was so excited to be going into town that afternoon to
visit the Boston Children’s Museum with my younger sister. I felt
my hope of finally getting to know Boston fading away. But what had
caused her to hit our car? She must have been no older than 25, it
was her first car crash and mine too. Turns out, she had been on her
phone as she drove her little blue bug car, taking sips of her
starbucks coffee as she returned home from work. She was very
irresponsible and could have hurt not only herself, but the people
around her.
The
importance of drivers ed in order to reduce the number of
deaths is the basis of the educational process, meaning the classes
that are taught. I believe that every driver should take driving
lessons, regardless of their driving experience. But if it is not
monitored, it does not guarantee that knowledge learned is being put
into practice. Especially law abiding, police should monitor and
ensure that the citizens are following the law. Drivers ed was
designed so that traffic laws were enforced and that the traffic
itself was a safe environment for both drivers and pedestrians, as
well as small fragile vehicles such as bikes and skateboards. When
the driver is obeying the traffic laws, such as driving within the
speed limit, the environment works as a whole. The driver is able to
brake just in time to stop an accident. If the driver stops at the
stop light, he averts hitting a pedestrian or another car. The
traffic laws were put into place in order to avoid accidents, and
ultimately death.
There
are many steps that can be taken in order to reduce the number of
deaths as a result of driving. Observing drivers, checking if they
are under the influence and applying penalties such as fines so they
may not repeat their mistakes and infractions that could have caused
a death. Re-evaluating drivers to warrant that they are able to
operate a vehicle, such as senior citizens and those who are
frequently caught under the influence or speeding. Citizens need to
have the proper cognitive state of mind in order to drive a car,
which can be a lethal weapon in the hands of an inexperienced, poorly
educated or unprepared driver. As previously mentioned, driver
education is especially important. Keeping eyes on the road as well
as stoplights and road signs are important for drivers. Obeying
traffic laws and speed limits are just some of the things that can
help to reduce accidents and deaths. Not making steep turns,
refraining from using narcotics, and traveling while rested are also
important factors. According to the CDC, “The National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drowsy driving was
responsible for 72,000 crashes, 44,000 injuries, and 800 deaths in
2013. However, these numbers are underestimated, and up to 6,000
fatal crashes each year may be caused by drowsy drivers.” These
numbers are solid evidence that sleep deprivation is one of the
biggest causes of accidents and deaths throughout the years in
traffic. If the driver starts to feel tired and drowsy, immediately
stop the car in rest areas to regain energy. Re-evaluate the car also
makes a big difference, checking to see if the brakes are working and
the oil is changed, making sure there are no flat tires. Pull into
traffic slowly, be aware of blind spots and always look in both
directions, cars are able to appear out of nowhere. Watch out for
children, especially near school areas. Children have a short
attention span and do not always know the dangers of the road. Do not
tailgate and be courteous to the drivers around you, avoiding road
rage. Always watch out for red light runners, always make sure that
no one is trying to speed through a yellow or red light. My father
has always told me to scan about up to 15 seconds ahead of where you
are going to drive so that way you can avoid any animals crossing or
items on the road.
In
conclusion, as technology grows it decreases our attention span and
distracts us from the events going on around us. It is vital that
drivers always take the necessary precautions to avoid causing
accidents and ultimately death. Staying alert today in order to be
alive tomorrow.
