Step to Encourage Safer Driving

Driver education is as important today as ever. There are a million and one distractions begging to take one’s eyes off the road. It is important that we as a society look at how to prevent deaths on the road. Education, laws, and working together can certainly help prevent roadway deaths. It is also vastly important that I look at myself and how I can not only better my own driving, but be an example to others.

Education is of the utmost importance to prevent roadway deaths. Classes and proper training help people understand how their actions directly relate to accidents. If we are able to correct misinformation or create good habits, we are one step closer to preventing accidents and deaths. One way to get people to take these informative classes is through incentives. In my state, taking a professional driving class when getting your license allows for cheaper insurance rates. There are also similar programs my grandparents have taken that pertain to helping seniors drive more safely.

Some more active ways of educating the public is through signage. Signage at rest stops relating to construction crew deaths along highways hits home with some drivers, helping create a more aware atmosphere as they drive some of the more dangerous roads. I have even seen signs about driving under the influence in some restaurant bathrooms, reminding people who might be partaking in a drink at the restaurant, just how drastic their actions and consequences could be.

Laws of course, are and have always been quite effective as a deterrent. Recently, Texas’ new DUI law regarding child support seems to be a certain deterrent. This law does work as a deterrent, but it is also generally a law that doesn’t stop accidents from happening, but more so works justice for those affected by lawless drivers. Other laws are more effective at being proactive like Pennsylvania’s “Move Over” law, requiring motorists to either merge a lane away from a traffic scene, or reduce their speed by 20 miles per hour. These laws throughout the country work in conjunction to help be proactive at reducing accidents, and provide justice for those affected by careless drivers.

A good way to reduce accidents is by not only fellow motorists being respectful of each other, but also passengers of a vehicle working to help the driver. It is of the foremost importance that motorists respect and alert other drivers. This could be as simple as using proper turn signals and leaving an appropriate following distance. It could also mean allowing room for emergency vehicles to pass and slowing down or moving over for cars stopped on the shoulder. A way passengers can help their motorist is by being in charge of directions. Helping the driver navigate means that they don’t have to take their eyes off the road to read maps. Giving them proper warning of when turns and exits are approaching, also provides time for safe braking. Eliminating distractions for the driver like very loud conversation can also help allow them to concentrate on the task at hand.

I myself can better my own driving by avoiding risk. If it is raining hard or it is snowing, it is best to just not drive. I should be more willing to not take risks, but instead use alternate means like public transit. It is incredibly important that I show patience on the road as well. By being patient at lights, and with other drivers I am providing others a sense of calm, and we can hope this helps encourage others to show a similar sense of calm and willingness to behave on the road.

It is also important I hold my fellow motorists responsible. If I am riding with somebody who is not driving responsibly, I need to stand up and let them know that what they are engaging in is unsafe and could be a rather poor mistake. I should also be that willing passenger to give directions and be in charge of making sure the driver is comfortable by doing things like taking care of the temperature of the car and providing a calm environment for them to focus.

In conclusion, providing motorists with proper education, enforcing good laws, and working together will provide us with safer roads, reducing accidents, and furthering the goal of reducing deaths on the road. It is also of the utmost importance that I lead by example, and hold my peers responsible for their actions and driving habits. I need to ensure that I am a good example, and encourage good habits while on the road.