Breaking the Cycle

Proper education is the first step towards improvement. The saying “When you know better, you do better” stems from the belief that knowledge is power, and when you are educated, your actions and opinions are geared towards what is appropriate or deemed correct. When educated about the dangers of the road, safety precautions, and why they are implemented, drivers are less inclined to put themselves in dangerous situations that may result in death and even save lives. Every time someone gets behind the wheel, they are in a dangerous situation. Even if they receive proper driver’s education, there is no guarantee that those around them have, which is why it is just as important for someone aware of the importance of inheriting a license the correct way to not disregard the education, but receive it and share it with others.

Just like any other license, a driver’s license requires a course and even a certificate to be able to legally handle a vehicle, this speaks volumes to how dangerous driving truly is. To reduce the number of deaths, it should be easier to receive proper driver’s education and stricter laws could be implemented. Grants should also be offered towards driving education schools so that the cost of attendance would be lowered, encouraging more people to receive the proper education. It is inherently cheaper to take a parent-taught course, but it becomes an issue when the parent who is teaching does not regard the rules as significant and provides incorrect insight. Along with becoming more financially accommodating, driver’s education courses could be offered as a class in High Schools making it more convenient location-wise. Many students have a mode of transportation to school already, but high schools would benefit from offering the class in school, because the more students that drive to school, the more money that is being put in their pockets from the cost of parking permits. It is a win-win situation because the kids receive proper education and the schools are inheriting more money. In other countries, under certain circumstances, it is illegal to eat and drive. I have witnessed people driving recklessly and dangering the lives of others to enjoy a sandwich. Although the weaving in and out of traffic does not always occur while eating, the redirection of attention does, and trying to scarf down your next meal will never be worth someone else’s life. Phones, eating, smoking, etc. are activities that hinder your awareness and could cause recklessness, and the 34,000 lives that are lost in driving accidents per year could be drastically reduced if people recognized the error in their ways. An ignition interlock device is also a method that could be used to improve safety. The device requires you to test your BAC before you can drive, and according to President Joe Biden, this will be required in all new cars produced by 2026, but this creates a disparity between those who have new and older cars. If possible, it should be a mandate for all cars to prevent the disregard of laws surrounding driving while under the influence. People may be discouraged from driving because the techniques previously mentioned seem too strict, but that same strictness can save lives.

I have witnessed my family members driving irresponsibly, and although no accidents have happened, there’s always a possibility. In my family, it is not uncommon to drive unreasonably over the speed limit or even text and drive, and it continues despite the warnings because they think they are capable of dividing their attention correctly while driving, but accidents always happen when you least expect it. Once again, this has to deal with a lack of attention and irresponsibility. No matter how much experience you have, you are always capable of causing an accident.

To be a better and safer driver I could break the cycle in my family. I have caught myself speeding when in a rush, and I had to remind myself that I could be endangering lives and that the speed limit is there because that is what experts deemed safe. I am not above the law, and I refuse to receive multiple tickets like my other family members for something preventable. To help others be safer on the road, I could speak up when I’m in the car instead of idly waiting for the car ride to be over because their reckless driving could cause someone to lose their life in an instant, and it is not appropriate, not morally sound for me to endanger someone’s life in fear of being judged for following the rules of the road. Even recognizing what headspace I am in and not letting that reflect in my driving is important. Anger should never dictate how safe you drive because it will cause immediate regret if an unforeseen event occurs. Inheriting proper techniques to manage my emotions is an important step towards becoming a safer driver. I believe in the power of education, and by encouraging others to believe the same, I could save lives and make the roads that are driven on a daily safer.