Prevent the Possibility

Driver Education Initiative Award

“What is the importance of driver education in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving? What steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving? Have you ever had an experience of being in a car accident or have seen your friends or family members driving irresponsibly? What steps can you take to be a better and safer driver as well as help others become safer on the road?”

Prevent the Possibility

Driver Education. As a teenager who drives, it is crucial that the people around me take driving seriously. In the United States, the age range between 16-20 years old are the most common ages involved with car accidents due to lack of seriousness when handling a motor vehicle. Being able to drive is not just a milestone, but also a privilege given to you to show that you can drive safely, not only for yourself but for others. Unfortunately, a lot of times, we are distracted while driving either by our cellphones, the music, or even people in the car with us. It is a bad habit that we all deal with, but we need to understand that it only takes a second for you or someone else’s life to change drastically.

Important Steps. It is crucial for us to take serious measures when driving on the road. Many ways we can reduce car accidents include but are not limited to: limiting personal responsibilities; practicing safe driving habits; and public awareness. As humans we often get easily distracted by things like our cell phones, eating, or even getting ready while we are driving to our destinations. While these things may seem small, they are significant issues as to why car accidents are so frequent. By limiting these distractions, people would be more alert and cautious on roads, reduce traffic jams, and decrease serious car collisions.

In addition to making sure everyone drives safely on the road, we need to incorporate safety driving habits. When everyone abides by driving habits such as maintaining a safe driving distance, appropriate speed limits, and using the correct turning signals when needed, this will help reduce a significant amount of car accidents and will lead to a smoother traffic flow. Additionally, being aware of our surroundings is key to preventing car accidents and ensuring road safety. Making sure you are alert while driving can save many lives, including your own. It is unbelievable how just one minor distraction can lead to a major car collision instantly, which is why keeping your eyes on the road and maintaining your focus is a very important habit to obtain while driving behind the wheel.

Personal Experience. Sadly, I have a personal driving experience where someone was driving irresponsibly. This situation happened when I was riding in the car with my family. We were on the highway just leaving our destination, when suddenly a car stopped right in front of us. We were confused about why it had stopped, and we could not wait much longer, especially since there were other cars speeding at 70mph behind us. My Mom, who was driving, had to quickly figure out the safest way to handle the situation. At first, I was not really scared, until I looked behind us and saw several cars speeding straight toward us. At that moment, my Mom swerved to avoid a massive black truck coming at us, but an 18-wheeler ended up hitting her side. That is when I began to panic. This was my first ever car accident and I was terrified of what could happen next. After feeling the impact, my Mom immediately pulled the car over to the side of the road, getting us safely out of traffic. It seemed as if the cars behind us stopped moving for a moment until we got there. We all got out of the car to look at the damage, and it was shocking to see how badly the truck had damaged our vehicle. Luckily, we all were fine that the situation was not as bad as it could have been. After this situation, it made me realize how important is it to know what to do when situations like the one I was in occur. I truly commend my Mom for making sure everyone was calm and affirmed that she would get us out of this situation safely.

Better and Safer Driver. In sum, driving for others and not for yourself is an important thing to remember. What you see may not be what someone else does, so being alert can not only help you but those around you also. As a teenager who has been in a situation that could have ended much worse, I have learned that staying alert and driving safely is something we all need to prioritize. We all should have the right to live out our lives and ensure that those rights are not taken away by preventable car accidents. As a driving community, we should commit to being aware, responsible, and safe behind the wheel.