Name: Hannah Pipp
From: Salina, KANSAS
Votes: 0
Many American drivers are at risk of accident because they lack
proper education and caution. Driving is all too often seen as a
right rather than a privilege, so people do not take their education
seriously. Drivers ed is, however, one of the biggest proactive
accident prevention measures because it ensures that drivers know the
laws and safety of driving. Additionally, prospective drivers are
required to pass a written and driving test before getting their full
license. This alone helps to reduce driving deaths by making drivers
aware of the risks involved.
Even so, accidents still happen. This is because people drive
carelessly or forget what they learned in their driving handbook. To
reduce the number of deaths on the roads, drivers should regularly
review their state’s handbook, eliminate distractions, and use
caution while turning and changing lanes. Reviewing the driving
handbook will sharpen the driver’s memory on what to do in certain
scenarios. It would also be beneficial to maintain complete
familiarity with all the functions of one’s own car, including
upkeep. They can eliminate distractions and handicaps by making sure
to drive sober and awake and by keeping their eyes on the road by not
texting. They should always wear their seatbelt so that if they do
get in an accident, they will have a lower risk of injury.
I was in an accident earlier this year, and thankfully no one was
harmed, but there were some warning signs that we could have
considered to avoid the accident. First, my grandpa was driving, and
he — being in his 80’s — did not have the sharpest eyes or
reaction time. Secondly, we were driving on a windy, mountainous road
at sunset. The accident occurred because my grandpa was blinded by
the light and did not see that the cars in front of us had slowed to
a stop. Thankfully, my dad was able to warn him before he demolished
the car in front, but my grandpa was not able to respond quickly
enough to avoid hitting them altogether. If we had not all been
wearing seatbelts, there may have been some injuries incurred.
Overall, this accident taught me the importance that the driver’s
age and physical state plays in the avoidance of accidents. I also
learned that the physical world can provoke accidents, so it may be
wise to stay in when it is icy or foggy outside.
Overall, drivers need to be aware of the driving regulations and
physically capable of safely driving a car. It should be everyone’s
responsibility to ensure that the drivers they know are acting
safely. If someone’s eyesight is declining or they continually
drive drunk or text and drive, their loved ones should try their best
to stop them from engaging in this reckless behavior. It only takes
one mistake to end someone’s life. Cars have consequence when used
irresponsibly; therefore, education and awareness are pivotal to
reducing automobile accidents and fatalities.
