You Can Save Lives

Driving is one of the most dangerous tasks that we complete every day. From trucks to SUVs, everyone is out on the road. Although we view cars as safe, how much can cars protect you from bad drivers? There are many factors that can cause a vehicle accident such as ignorance of speed limit, lack of attention, and disobedience to traffic laws. All of these topics are taught during Driver’s Education. This is why Driver’s Ed is important for every driver to know in order to promote road safety. Research collected during a study at Nebraska Prevention Center showed “ 2.1 percent of the drivers education group cohort was involved in an accident that caused injury or death, compared to 2.6 percent of those that did not take driver’s education. Based on this research, driver’s education plays a significant role in preventing death due to vehicular accidents.

Although accidents can not always be prevented, these tips can help reduce injury or death. First, always wear a seatbelt when riding in a vehicle. According to the CDC, “seat belts reduce the risk of death by 45%, and cut the risk of serious injury by 50%.” The use of seatbelts also prevents passengers from being ejected in the event of a crash. Secondly, never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Research conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “everyday, about 37 people in the United States die in drunk-driving accidents — that’s one person every 39 minutes … these deaths were all preventable.” Even if you were out with your friends, and only had one drink; it’s always better to err on the side of caution. Additionally, drive defensively. Whilst driving, you should never count on others to make the right decision. Always expect other drivers to do the wrong thing, that way if they do, you are prepared to maneuver around them in order to ensure your safety. Lastly, never overestimate your ability to multitask. If that text message, or that phone call is more important than driving, pull over. Another study conducted at the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration stated, “in 2021, there were 3,522 people killed and an estimated additional 362,415 people injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes involving distracted driving.” Whatever is distracting your attention from the road is not as important as your life or someone else’s.

In my life, I have been affected by accidents through myself and through those that I know. I’ll begin with myself, and how I can take steps to become a better driver. I was involved in a car accident due to not fully paying attention to my surroundings. In driver’s education, they always tell you, “check your mirrors” and “always check your blind spot when you are switching lanes”. Unfortunately, I did not check my blind spot when I was switching lanes because I had assumed no one was there. Luckily, this accident was not bad. Myself and the other driver both walked away with no injuries, and minimal vehicle damage. My second experience doesn’t end as easy as my own. I come from a fairly small town, with a tight-knit community. For privacy purposes, I will not be naming any names of the people directly affected. In school, I had a large friend group, I like to be the person anyone can be friends with. Unfortunately, one of my friend’s family was involved in a brutal car accident. They were driving home one night, when they began taking a left at a stop sign. The road they turned on wasn’t well lit, and cars would fly around the corner. As they were making the turn; someone driving recklessly, going miles over the speed limit struck the side of their vehicle. Unfortunately, this impact killed all 4 passengers in the vehicle. Those being her parents, as well as grandparents. The entire community was devastated by this accident because her family was popular in our town. This entire accident could have been prevented if the driver was following proper traffic laws.

All in all, there are many ways the road can be made a safer place for all. Driver’s education can be a great tool to gain knowledge about the road, what to do and not do, and how to prevent accidents. Most accidents are preventable through proper safety precautions such as following traffic laws, never driving under the influence, never driving distracted. Always remember to wear a seatbelt; this can save your life if there is an accident. Everyone that drives has the ability to prevent accidents, and increase driving safety.