The Significance of Auto Safety

It’s so easy to get comfortable driving but it is of the utmost importance to remain vigilant in the driver’s seat. We feel safe in our big metal boxes, but we have to remember once you get over 30 miles an hour metal can be folded like butter. You go twice that on the freeway. Nearly all of us, old and young, have seen at least one car crash. In Driver’s Ed we had to watch several videos of car crashes which illustrated in the realest capacity just how fragile our cars actually are. This furthered the importance for our diligence of safe driving skills.

Whether a big collision or a small scrape, cars can be very dangerous and we must do all we can to limit our distractions to decrease this number. Nearly all of us have been in the car when a driver was acting irresponsibly. We should do our part to discourage this behavior as well as decline the impulses to do the same. The data shown on dmvedu.org was truly astounding and I think we should all take a good look at our driving and make changes where they are due. In this essay, I am going to list some healthy reminders of safe driving etiquette.

The importance of using your turning signal cannot be understated. It is the easiest way to let other drivers know your intentions on the road and for you to know theirs. Without the use of the proper signals, crashes are so much easier to transpire. An article by the University of Pittsburgh states “According to a study of automotive engineers (SAE), drivers who fail to use their turn signals accounts for over 2 million accidents annually.” Something as simple as flicking the stick next to their steering wheel could have prevented so many misfortunes.

Checking your mirrors and blind spots is something many people forget about even though it is one of the most important steps in spacial awareness, as well as a staple in changing lanes. It never hurts to check and sometimes, you find your blindspot is filled with the view of another car. You must be aware of your surroundings at all times because a lot of other drivers do not have the same attentiveness. This poses a developing danger and if you aren’t paying attention either, the potential for disaster increases.Without simply turning your head to check, you can seriously hurt yourself, or someone else. When you’re going any speed a collision isnt pretty but it is detrimental that you check your mirrors and blind spots on the freeway. Knowing that there is a car next to you may save a collision if you notice them starting to shift into your lane before they do. You can alert them before this happens with a honk and save both of you a lot of trouble. It is too easy to miss someone speeding up next to you. It never hurts to check, but it might hurt to not.

Keeping your eyes off your phone at all times is something so straightforward, yet so easily broken. Most of us have seen drivers go on their phone, perhaps you even have yourself, but you must think if it is truly worth risking your and everyone else’s life. Taking your eyes off the road for even 5 seconds could be calamitous. You must remember when you go on your phone, or are distracted in any capacity, you risk the lives of not only yourself, but others on the road. No text is worth dying to answer, nor is it worth killing over. No song is that bad; you risk everything to skip it. Keep the phone down and the texts off. You will see your phone once you stop and if it’s really important, make a stop sooner.

It’s so easy to follow these simple rules yet even seasoned drivers make these mistakes of disregarding the measures put into place to keep us safe. Anybody can get into an accident and sometimes even, you may follow all the safety procedures and still get into a misfortunate hazard. Being alert, and spatially aware is the best way to keep yourself, your investment, and the people you care about safe. Car crashes are no joke in any capacity. You never want to risk a life, especially when it could have been prevented. Keep yourself accountable. Keep yourself safe. Drive like your life depends on it, because it truly does.