The Importance of Driving Safely

Driver’s education is important to reducing the number of deaths while driving. In the past, before driver’s education became mandatory in 1952, around 40,000 deaths related to motor vehicle accidents occurred. After 1952, motor vehicle accidents resulting in death lowered to about 10,00 deaths (Stanley). Through this graph, we can tell that driver’s education helps lower accident deaths. This shows that driver’s education reduced death while driving because it increased the driver’s knowledge about road safety.

Road safety is the measures taken to reduce the risk of road traffic injuries and death which entails learning about traffic laws, how to avoid hazards, how to drive in different weathers and terrains, and how to drive safely without taking unnecessary risks. This is one of the many steps we can take to reduce deaths related to driving. Along with that, another way to reduce traffic deaths is by getting highly visible campaigns. PSAs or public service announcements are the way to do such. In order for a PSA or campaign to be effective, it must stick in a person’s mind for a long period of time. An example of effective ones are the following: Sandy Hook Promise’s various campaigns and public service announcements which stick in your mind because of the shock, or one’s like “What if Bears Killed One in Five People?” and “Tea Consent” because they take a serious topic and make it easier to understand by using clever metaphors.

The best public service announcements related to driving accidents I’ve seen are the “Dramatic Texting and Driving PSA” by WJBF and “Other People Make Mistakes” by NSW because in the video they stop time right before the crash. The drivers get out of their cars and talk. Here, you can see how one simple lapse in judgment led to a horrible incident that you cannot stop. These drivers aren’t painted as bad people but as people who simply made a mistake. The majority of driving PSAs speak of distracted driving and risk taking as they are both some of the leading causes of car accidents. This includes using a cell phone while driving, both in your hand or on a hands-free device, not wearing a seat belt, speeding, and reckless driving. By doing the opposite of the things listed above, you should be able to avoid being in a car crash. Although you can still do everything right and end up in one like I did.

Personally, I’ve experienced being in a car accident. Around 2018, my family and I were driving home late from Paradise, California. The highway road is not well-lit and my mom’s car lights were not that bright. We were starting to have issues with this particular car so the plan was that after we got home the car would stay parked there. Then, the next available day, my dad would look over and fix the car. My mom heard a strange noise and asked me if I had heard it. I had not. I was watching YouTube on her phone. Less than a minute passes before it happens. We hit a horse. Apparently, the house, next to this specific spot on the freeway, owned a horse. The property was gated but, for some forsaken reason, it was left open which is how the horse escaped. Along with hitting a horse, we got rear-ended and the car who rear-ended us got rear-ended themselves. I remember being really scared but looking back I’m thankful. No one in that car was injured. Everyone in that car was being safe by doing things such as wearing seat belts which ultimately saved our lives. My mom teaching us and practicing safe driving habits helped us stay safe in that accident.

I can be a better and safer driver by taking driver’s education seriously along with not taking risks. Don’t answer the phone even if you think “nothing will happen” or “that won’t happen to me”. Don’t assume you can make the turn before the car gets there because there’s a chance that the car is speeding and will crash into you. Wear a seatbelt regardless if “it’s a short drive” or not. Don’t drive if you are under the influence or are tired as you are making yourself a hazard. An accident can and absolutely will happen to you.

As a fellow driver, I can encourage others to take road safety seriously and I can stop them from taking risky moves in a car. Speaking up when another driver is gonna make a risky move is important. Always suggest that an intoxicated person take an uber or cab. It could potentially save someone’s life.

In conclusion, take driving seriously. If we drive safely, take the necessary precautions, and disregard distractions, we can continue to reduce fatal car accidents. In another 70 years, if we follow safety, the death rates will continue to drop lower and lower and driving will become safer and safer.