Safe Driving Practices

Driver education is essential in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving by teaching new drivers to never text and drive and to never drive while under the influence. Although many people hear about this from their parents, in school, or others in their lives, hearing about it in driver’s education is a crucial reminder for people to know the importance of driving safely. Distracted driving and driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol are some of the most common causes of car accidents. Choosing to not text and drive and not drink and drive are some of the easiest ways people can prevent car accidents. Not only does this prevent car accidents, but having a reduction in car accidents also saves lives as a result. Driver education can also help reduce the number of deaths related to driving by simply teaching basic driving knowledge and skills to new drivers. For example, driver education teaches students to perform complete stops at stop signs, which in turn helps drivers be aware of their surroundings, which then hopefully results in fewer accidents and deaths. Basically, when people choose to apply their driver education knowledge to their driving habits, this helps people focus on driving safely.

Choosing to not drive over the speed limit is another way people can drive safely. Many teenagers and young adults, especially boys, are more likely to speed than any other age group. This is why young men pay higher car insurance rates than women do. Teenagers and young adults who speed are also more at risk to be involved in car accidents. Even though some people choose to drive irresponsibly, it is not worth the risk of losing their life or someone else’s life. According to a science report from the National Library of Medicine, an average of 1.35 million people worldwide are killed or disabled due to car accidents every year (Road Traffic). This means about 3,700 people are killed or disabled in car accidents every day across the world (Road Traffic). To help reduce the number of car accidents and accident fatalities, people need to continue concentrating on the importance of driving safely. Another example is drivers should space themselves appropriately from other vehicles in order to drive at a safe distance. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people drive very close behind me when I am driving the speed limit. People are going to choose to drive safely or not, but having more people choose to drive safely will prevent an increase in car accidents and accident fatalities.

I have never been in a car accident myself, but I know people who have been affected by irresponsible driving. One of my relatives lost his wife after an accident with a drunk driver, and no one deserves to experience this loss of a loved one due to drunk driving. Drunk driving accidents in particular cause public outrage because they are easily preventable. In the United States alone, drunk driving kills an average of 37 people per day (Drunk Driving). Additionally, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs kills over 10,000 Americans each year (Reducing Deaths). Because many drunk drivers have a prior history of driving under the influence, the United States and all countries around the world need to take illegal actions like these more seriously. For example, I believe people should have their license revoked if they are caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The issue of driving while under the influence of drugs is becoming a greater issue as more and more states pass legislation legalizing marijuana use. As a result, I believe tougher penalties should be in place when using marijuana while driving. This too will hopefully cause less accidents as a way to reduce the number of deaths related to driving while under the influence of drugs.

In conclusion, choosing to drive responsibly as a result of driver education and positive influences will help make public roads safer. The presence of serious punishments for people who drive under the influence encourage people not to do so. Because youth are the most at risk to be involved in car accidents, driver education is a great way to teach new drivers how to drive safely. Parents can be good role models in teaching their kids how to drive responsible as well. They can model safe driving behavior by choosing to not drive in bad weather conditions or to drive cautiously in such conditions. Icy roads are another cause of accidents in the winter when people drive too fast in winter conditions. I believe it is even safer to not drive at all if you don’t have to during bad road conditions. As people concentrate on the road, stay aware of their surroundings, and drive defensively, the odds of being involved in an accident go down. It is crucial to pay attention to other drivers and pedestrians so that you are not driving distracted. Not everyone chooses to apply all of this helpful information taught in driver education to their own driving habits, but those who do are great role models to others in helping prevent car accidents and deaths related to driving.

Works Cited

Ahmed, Sirwan K, et al. “Road Traffic Accidental Injuries and Deaths: A Neglected Global Health Issue.” Health Science Reports, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2 May 2023, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10154805/.

“Drunk Driving.” NHTSA, www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Office, U.S. Government Accountability. “Reducing Deaths Caused by Impaired Driving in the U.S.” U.S. GAO, 1 June 2023, www.gao.gov/blog/reducing-deaths-caused-impaired-driving-us.