Dangers of Distracted Driving

When I was seven years old, my mother and I experienced first-hand the dangers of distracted driving. We were stopped at a red light, and helplessly watched as a car sped through the red light, striking another car. The collision caused one of the cars to slam into our car at an extremely high speed. There was nothing we could do; we were at the mercy of a reckless driver and our lives were put on the line. I’m now 16, and a newly licensed driver. That experience has stayed with me and has permanently shaped both my approach to driving and my thoughts around how we educate and help inform drivers.

Every morning, people take to the roads and begin their day, full of both hope and the potential for danger. We put tremendous faith in each other on the road, as we rely on total strangers to be alert, focused and good citizens as we all share the road together. Traffic accidents have continued to be a significant problem worldwide, taking the lives of thousands every day. This tragic reality demonstrates the fundamental need to make the roads safer for everyone. In order to achieve this goal, we must examine potential steps that could be taken to reduce irresponsible driving and car accidents. We must determine how to become better drivers and protect others on the road.

The education of inexperienced drivers plays a critical role in reducing the amount of deaths associated with driving. The right type of education provides individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to properly navigate the road. With a solid understanding of hazard awareness, defensive and responsible driving, as well as the importance of traffic regulations and rules, a driver will be more aware of their surroundings and the effects their decisions could have on other drivers. I would advocate for a required viewing of various traffic accidents (including the aftermath) as part of new driver education. Young drivers tend to believe they’re invincible. Perhaps seeing the devastation that could occur through a variety of scenarios young people encounter daily when driving (text messages, the need to find that one song on a playlist, etc) could influence their actions on the road. Perhaps seeing how the decision to drink alcohol and then operate a car could endanger the lives of both the driver and innocent people within the community could help persuade the driver to call an Uber after a night out. Those jarring images and the story of devastation that happens for those impacted by auto accidents could make a difference. By fostering a comprehensive understanding of the road’s dangers, driving education can raise awareness of drunk driving, speeding, fatigue, and distracted driving. This understanding empowers drivers to make more informed choices behind the wheel, while introducing new strategies used to avoid accidents and respond in unpredictable circumstances.

In order to reduce the amount of deaths related to driving accidents, there are several pivotal steps that must be taken. First, we must provide affordable access to comprehensive driving education programs, which include practical and theoretical aspects and are designed for people of all ages and levels of experience. It would also be extremely impactful if we provided continuing programs with the primary purpose of educating licensed drivers on new road regulations and safety measures. Law enforcement must begin to harshly enforce traffic laws, specifically those related to driving under the influence and speeding, to send the message that reckless driving will not be tolerated. Additionally, new road infrastructure has the potential to be extremely important in reducing accidents, as it includes safer road design, traffic calming devices, and maintaining clear road signage. The improvement of the road quality, affordable access to driving education, and harsher law enforcement will help drivers to have greater awareness of their surroundings and increase overall safety, reducing accidents.

I often think back to that traumatic car accident when I was seven years old. Thankfully, we escaped injury, but there were several other people who were seriously injured as a result of the accident. Nine years later, my heartbeat still speeds up when I drive through that intersection. It took several months before I felt safe getting into a car and, even then, I would get panic attacks frequently while on the road. That accident was a traumatic event in my life, and taught me that no event is more important than your safety, and the safety of others on the road. Nobody wakes up in the morning believing they will get into a car accident, which is why it’s always wise to drive defensively and wear a seatbelt. I was so little, but the event opened my eyes to the road and I was perplexed by the idea that people would knowingly drive irresponsibly, with disregard for the fact that their actions could be endangering those around them. This is why I believe that driver’s education is important, and why we must reduce the number of driving related fatalities.

In an effort to encourage road safety and significantly reduce the amount of deaths related to driving, it is extremely important to remain proactive in our efforts. We can highlight the importance of seatbelt use, educate others about dangers of the road, and discourage speeding. Through leading by example and promoting responsible driving practices to our family and friends, we can help to reduce these numbers and keep the roads safe. Campaigns dedicated to raising awareness and advocating for safe driving also have a large impact on road safety. Supporting or joining these organizations and participating in various community initiatives can help to emphasize the importance of drivers education and responsible driving.

In conclusion, a proper driver’s education is essential in road safety, because it provides our driving community with the skills needed in order to reduce driving-related deaths. Each one of us must contribute to enhancing road safety by engaging in responsible driving practices, fighting for harsh law enforcement, and leading by example. By working hard towards road safety, we can embrace a safe driving culture and reduce the tragic number of road accidents.