Preventable Tragedies

Many people do not realize the danger that is incorporated with driving. The dangers in drivin are usually ignored because it is a part of our everyday life, it is never second guessed until it is too late. Automobile related accidents could tear families apart and can cause much grief to the victims or the victims’ families. Often times, car accidents are due to irresponsible or uneducated drivers. Many vehicular tradegies that happen every year could be prevented if there was a better driver education program that informed the citizens of the true danger that lurks in distracted driving. Having alert and informed citizens is the best way to address this issue because this could deter people from dangerous driving behavior before it happens. Giving people a full understanding of what is possible from a short moment of disregard could result in more attuned and more law-abiding citizens.

Tens of thousands of people die every year in car accidents in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 31% of the national automobile fatalities are from driving under the influence. This means that a substantial amount of American lives could be saved with the prevention of drunk and intoxicated driving. With an increased police force to patrol roadways and help catch impaired drivers before something happens, roads could be a safer place. Some may say that a better solution could self driving/automated cars, but the results show that this technology is not developed enough be a reliable solution. Since the creation of self driving cars, there have been many malfunctions that cause fatal accidents. It is an innitiative that the driver must take to be a safer driver. If there was an increased fleet of police officers and monitoring systems, and increased punishment for unsafe driving, there may be a decrease in distracted and reckless driving and thus less accidents. If the likihood of getting caught is higher, and punishments were more sever, it may deter the people from driving in such a dangerous way.

Although I have not been in a car accident, I have had many very close people who were affected by car related accidents, and I am sad to say all were caused from the same root of carelessness. One of my friend’s uncle was driving through the South Grasslands of Los Banos, California on a foggy night with low visibility. He was coming back from going duck hunting, and was on a paved two-lane road out in the country. All things seemed normal until suddenly a wire went through the cab of his Jeep Wrangler and killed him. What had happened wast a tow truck was pulling a car out of a roadside ditch, and had the tow wire strung across the road without warning lights on and no hazard signs. Sadly, this accident could have been easily avoided if they had just put the lights on. Though this was not from another moving vehicle, the carelessness and distractedness of a fellow vehicle operator had killed him.

Another very good friend of mine had a moment of avoidable carelessness while driving. This friend had gotten drunk at another friend’s house and decided to drive home. This irresponsible choice seemed going fine until he was two blocks away from his destination, and that when another drunk driver swerved into his lane and hit him. Both were intoxicated, and had caused the accident, but they had got lucky no one was injured. The driver of the other car ditched the site, and was caught down the road by the police. Though he got away unharmed physically, he was punished by law, and had many difficulties getting jobs and his full rights back after this. His moment of carelessness, though it did not end in tragedy, changed the trajectory of his life.

I can learn from these instances, and know that no matter the situation, while operating a vehicle, lives are at stake. Though it may not seem important, while on roadways, any situation could become dangerous. At all times diligence is required to maintain a safe environment for yourself and fellow drivers. This is required by all drivers, and as a passenger, you should be making sure that you are doing everything to provie and adequate environment for the driver to be safe. It should also be your job as a effective user of roadways to make sure that if you are a passenger, you remind the drivers if they are doing anything unsafe. Being alert in this fashion would ensure that everyone drives safely. It takes a effort from everyone to be vigilant and give courteous advice to people who are not safe on roadways.