In The Drivers Seat

Teaching others the importance of being a safe and educative driver is so important, especially in a country with so many car-related deaths. Careless drivers kill innocent people every year resulting in mourning families all over the world. The negligence of others should not have such an effect on others but unfortunately, that is the reality of the world we are living in. In some cases, innocent people die while the culprit of the tragedy is left with a few scratches and a tap on the wrist. Drivers all over the world need to be educated not only on self-safety but the safety of others when on the road.

In relation to reducing the number of driving-related deaths, the importance of driver education is crucial to anyone on the road. Learning about the importance of not drinking while driving, texting while driving, etc. is beneficial for everyone. Although some believe they were blessed with the talent of multitasking, there is no room for distraction on the road. Alcohol is so dangerous when driving because it reduces the ability to judge distance, speed, and the movement of other vehicles which impairs you drastically. Texting while driving is dangerous because it removes your focus from the road and puts it onto superficial things that can most likely be answered when you are parked and free from harming others. Although these are not the only factors of car-related deaths they are some of the biggest factors and can be prevented when taught the importance of driving education.

Driving education is one thing but the steps to reducing driving-related deaths are another. People like the idea of being safe while driving but don’t want to put the effort into actually driving safely. I think that there are too many options for new drivers to get their licenses now, and I believe that everybody should be required to submit the same number of hours as everyone else pursuing a license. When I did my driver’s education, I did 30 hours of classroom learning as well as 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training and I believe that everyone should be required to do the same. With the amount of training I was given, I felt extremely prepared to tackle my driver’s test and passed with flying colors as a result. Although not exactly a step, I believe that those who know they will be drinking at any event should have a designated driver who will remain sober or pay for a rideshare to get them to and from. Even though it can possibly be costly, the cost of an Uber is much less than the cost of someone else’s life. Although these steps can be taken to reduce the number of driving-related deaths it’s really up to those driving to want to change. Not everybody wants to change their ways, which puts more and more people at risk because of the carelessness of others.

Although I’ve never experienced a car accident myself a part of me is still affected by careless drivers because of the death of my cousin who died in a semi-truck accident. It was especially disheartening because it was the day before Christmas of 2021, and he was on the way home to his wife and 4 kids. Because of a careless driver his kids never got to see their father again and on one of the most joyous days of the year. This also shows how you should never take the time that you give for granted because your life is not guaranteed. Although heart-breaking, it helps raise awareness for safe driving and hopefully will inspire others to take the steps to become a safer driver.

I believe that as a driver it is my job to make sure I keep myself and others who may ride with me safe when getting to and from. When I have passengers in my car, I understand that I am now in charge of others’ lives and should treat them as such. Even though I do preach the importance of driver safety, I am not saying that I have never made mistakes. There have been times when a certain text message caught my eye and I thought that a quick response wouldn’t do any harm, and it didn’t, but nine times out of ten it could have done harm and that is why now when I am driving I put my phone on do not disturb to destroy any chance of me being able to remove my focus on the road to my phone. Safe driving is a change that starts with you and benefits everyone around you. When you demonstrate safe driving you set a standard for others to follow, becoming an example for so many.