Can we focus on the roads?

When people move to Texas the first thing they talk about here is the traffic and how bad it can get during traffic hours and the aftermath of a wreck. I know for any of my friends who came to visit me in Texas they absolutely hate the Dallas downtown traffic and the way our highways can have four different exits at one time. We have what you would call critical thinking drivers and defensive drivers if nothing else out here. I know that I have taken defensive driving after getting a ticket before and I felt like the class actually had information I needed. I feel like we should all have refreshers especially due to the construction all over and the amount of tollways that are being built. If there was just a refresher class to remind those who got their drivers licenses at the age of 17, it could help those remember that yielding, merging, and shifting lanes have rules. Possibly even have people watching a video over the traffic rules like yielding could be a focus point. Once a year just have a video for those who have been driving more than ten years. There is so much road rage that causes accidents and deaths since people cut one another off so bad and even the 18 wheelers during high traffic time. The lack of care when people are running late or even just driving beyond the speed limits increases risks for those who are driving the speed limit and are cautious. I believe it is multiple reason of why there are an increase in accidents and deaths. The importance of being aware and safe while driving is beyond important especially since drivers are so distracted with their phone these days. Phones are one of the main reasons we have so many accidents they have more billboards on texting and driving in some areas then they have of drinking and driving. I think that most of the accidents and deaths that occur are because people aren’t paying any attention to the roads or even the conditions of the roads due to their cell phones. Living in Texas we could have all four season in one week depending on the weather of course. Even the new cars have such great technology and touch screens you keep having to look away to change your music while you are driving unless it is on your steering wheel. I have been in an accident before, when I first started driving at the age of 20, this elderly woman hit me while I was making a left turn onto the freeway. First accident I had and on top of that my car was totaled due to being t boned and the driver ran a red light. So, that proves my point that the lack of focusing on the road and the red light I ended up in an accident. Fortunately there were witnesses to help address the accident on the scene when the police arrived. My car was totaled and another car hit her from behind since they probably did not leave any space in between them. Since this accident at times I have so much anxiety driving sometimes and I have to listen to instrumentals when I get like that instead of songs with words so that I concentrate on making it to my destination. Big lesson for me there since I could’ve waited a few more moments after my light changed green. Now I know that and wait a few seconds after the light changes even if I get honked at my safety is all I am worried about. My parents were very big on waiting before pulling off now that this accident happened on my way to work. I have a pretty good idea of what could be worked on while driving out of all the things I have listed the ways we can start taking steps to make driving safer: 1. cut out all distractions 2. Have a playlist ready for the ride there 3. Leave earlier so you do not have to rush 4. Eat before you leave 5. No speeding 7. Check your route before you leave (for accidents or roadwork) 8. Turn your phone on do not disturb until you reach your destination 9. Double check before turning or merging 10. Leave your blinkers on while getting into another lane 11. No drinking and driving 12. Bad weather means leaving with 20 minutes to spare. Hopefully this makes sense since I focused on how those that are distracted are adding onto the tragedies and the accidents that are occurring more frequently.