Choosing to Drive Distracted or to Drive Alive

Driver’s education plays an essential role in reducing the number of deaths that come in driving related incidents. According to studies done at the University of Nebraska, younger drivers that do not go through the driver’s education program are 75% more likely to get a traffic ticket and 24% more likely to get in an accident, which are often fatal. Given the fact that there are “an average of 34,000 deaths a year as a result of driving,” imagine just how the number of deaths would increase were there no driver’s education whatsoever. The consequences would be astronomical; driver’s education is necessary.

Furthermore, driver’s education provides all students, whatever be their experience driving, with the same opportunity to learn and become competent in their understanding of road and vehicle safety laws as well as policies of their respective states. Students that have had more experience behind the wheel when getting their license for the first time may be overly confident in their abilities to drive safely. Driver’s education helps them to see vivid consequences of others that have been reckless and pushed the limits too far. Seeing the bad experiences of predecessors and hearing their griefs, learning the heart wrenching facts of how many people are hurt or killed each year in car accidents, and more experiences that are provided in a driver’s education setting contribute to pushing these more experienced students to develop an attitude of care when they are responsible behind the wheel.

Similarly, the students that have not had much experience driving before receiving their license are presented the necessary knowledge and are given the opportunity to develop safe driving practices and make those practices habits under the supervision and help of a professional instructor. Having personalized individual training before being set free on the roads not only provides young drivers with the necessary skillset to be a safe driver, but also helps them to adopt a “defensive driver” attitude and be watchful towards other drivers that could potentially put them in danger.

In addition to adopting a defensive driving mindset, there are many things that drivers can do to reduce the number of driving related deaths. While it may be true that there are some accidents that are almost impossible to avoid – unseen black ice or falling rocks for example – an overwhelming majority of these fatal accidents could be avoided by minimalizing the accidents caused from speeding, distracted driving, impairment caused from alcohol or drugs, or lack of sleep. If parents, teachers, and government/law enforcement leaders all choose to avidly ensure that those under their supervision do not speed and that they do not let anything take their eyes and mind off the road the number of driving related deaths will be significantly reduced. Likewise, as these leaders and role models are certain to show zero tolerance for those under their supervision that drive even the least bit impaired or choose to drive when not having had sufficient rest there will be much less of a chance that those individuals ill be involved in a deadly accident. These leaders can ensure that these things are so in a variety of ways.

One of these ways is to provide incentives and rewards for good driving decisions. These incentives will be effective before and after the students go through the driver’s ed program and can be very motivating. In addition to the incentives these leaders can encourage and praise students and new drivers as they keep commitments to be distraction free, to not speed, and as they continue to drive safely. Encouragement for good behavior is one of the best ways to motivate individuals to drive well. A similar approach in the opposite sense that can likewise be effective is punishment for negative behavior. When students and young drivers choose not to drive safely and responsibly, penalties and loss of privileges can be very effective in encouraging them to shape up and drive safely. The rewards and penalties system can be a very effective tool in helping to promote safe driving behavior and can lead to individuals noticing good examples around them.

Yet another way and perhaps the most powerful way to prevent fatal accidents is for said leaders to lead by example. Young children that see their parents speed, drive when they are tired, or use their cell phone while driving will naturally believe that these bad practices are acceptable and that there aren’t consequences for such behavior. On the contrary when they see these important influences in their lives making good decisions and driving responsibly it will be just as natural for them to follow suit and choose to be responsible drivers themselves. These initiatives by leaders, mentors and parents can be some of the best ways to reduce fatal accidents.

Despite good examples in my personal life, I have seen firsthand how the lack of care behind the wheel can change lives. When I was a high school student, my dear cousin was involved in a very serious car accident that resulted in months of hospitalization and nearly took her life. She was hit head on by a distracted driver and was completely powerless to avoid the situation. As her cousin and close friend, I was deeply saddened seeing her go through so much pain and suffering; pain and suffering that could have been so easily avoided. Had the individual that hit her car simply decided to put away his cell phone and not drive distracted, my cousin would have been spared a lifetime of leg issues and tens of thousands of dollars of medical bills. After having gone through this experience I will never agree with someone that tells me that they can use their smartphone and drive safely; that simply is not true. Statistics reported from CBC news show that 30% of highway accidents stem from distracted driving, and there are few distractions that swallow humans’ attention like a smartphone.

Luckily, certain features and applications in vehicles have been developed to allow users to still access the convenient features of smartphones while leaving the physical object to the side. I have been able to help my family members and friends use the built-in safety features in their cars such as Apple Car Play or other voice automated systems which are already integrated into so many of the cars that we drive today. Doing this has and will continue to make a difference in my personal circle to help my friends and family members to become safer drivers.

Simultaneously I can ensure that I am not letting my own standards of safe driving slip, even in the slightest. I can continue to evaluate personally and seek feedback from others concerning my driving safety. I can keep a valid driver’s license, obey traffic laws, and ask others to hold me accountable to my personal commitments. In a similar manner I can help others to do the same by keeping them in check when I notice that they are driving unsafely, distracted, and showing them how much I care by my actions and words. I can support local law enforcement and driver education programs financially, and I can surely spread awareness of the dangers of careless driving by word and by social media. I can share stories of others and personal experiences that have taught me the importance of careful driving and share how the lack of such care can lead to tragic accidents like that of my cousin.

Preventing driving accidents is one of my highest priorities as a citizen and I am grateful for this opportunity to share my thoughts about ways that we can collectively avoid unnecessary deaths related to driving. Student participation in driver’s education programs as well as a host of other safe practices and encouragements from peers, teachers, mentors, parents, and leaders can make all the difference in making the roads a safer place. Make the choice today if you prefer to drive distracted, or to drive alive.