“The Road to Safety: Addressing the Impact of Distracted and Impaired Driving through Education and Awareness”

Driving is an essential part of everyday life, without the capability to drive you run the risk of not having the convenience, mobility, or the independence. It is crucial in life to disown nonchalant behavior so that you won’t be the reason for someone else’s cataclysm. If you have the capacity to drive, the risks associated with driving increase. Safe driving is crucial for reducing traffic accidents and fatalities, and therefore, it should be prioritized through stricter laws, better driver’s education in school, and public awareness through programs to insure that community members are aware of the risks associated with driving, and the benefits everyone would see and experience if driving rules were followed more.

Distracted driving is risky behavior that crucially increases the likelihood of accidents, jeopardizing the safety of both drivers and pedestrians alike. “Drivers in the 25–34 age group made up 21 percent of drivers in fatal crashes, but were 23 percent of all distracted drivers and 23 percent of drivers distracted by cell phones in fatal crashes” (National Center for Statistics and Analysis 3). This statistic showcases the risk factors faced by the 25 to 34 age group, emphasizing that distractions while driving play a role for accidents while driving. “In 2019 there were 566 nonoccupants (pedestrians, pedal cyclists, and others) killed in distraction affected crashes” (National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1). This alarming statistic shows the severe impact that distracted driving causes to non occupants. “In 2019 there were an estimated 287,000 distraction affected injury crashes (15 percent of all injury crashes). In these crashes, an estimated 294,000 drivers (8 percent of all drivers in injury crashes) were distracted at the time of the crashes” (National Center for Statistics and Analysis 4). This statistic shows an enlarged frame rate of the severity of distracted driving. The statistics show that more needs to be done to prevent the risk of harm, improving driver’s education in schools may be the foundation needed for generations to come to not have to go through what others have gone through so far, as well as contemplating what the changes should be to reduce the number of deaths related to driving.

Improving driver’s education is vital for helping young drivers learn the essential skills needed for being on the road. “11.1 percent of the driver’s education cohort was involved in a car crash, compared to 12.9 percent of those who did not take driver’s education. 2.1 percent of the driver’s education group was involved in an accident that caused injury or death, compared to 2.6 percent of those who did not take driver’s education. 10.4 percent of students who took driver’s education was ticketed for moving traffic violations, compared to 18.3 percent of those who did not take driver’s education. Similar trends were seen for alcohol-related violations and for crashes and traffic violations during the second year of driving” (Reed). Even if the percentage seems small, the comparison of the two shows that those who take the driver’s education course were less likely to be involved in a vehicle related accident. “Dangerous driving behaviors, such as distracted driving, aggressive driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, can lead to devastating car accident fatalities and injuries. Individuals should avoid using their phones while driving, refrain from engaging in road rage, and always designate a sober driver if they plan to consume alcohol” (Thompson Law Injury Lawyers). Dangerous driving behaviors like distracted driving, road rage, and driving under the influence can cause serious accidents, the hope for the future would be something would change that would cause a domino effect to less demise.

When I was in middle school my brother’s girlfriend at the time died in a traffic accident that was caused by a driver who was impaired by means of being under the influence via drugs and alcohol. My brother and his girlfriend lived, at the time, roughly two and a half hours away so I only met his girlfriend a few times, I never got to really know her but really wish I would’ve been able to.. At the time of the accident and her death, her daughter was only around four or five so she doesn’t really remember her mom. I wish there were more societally that could be done to implement ways in which people find other options besides the first one that they can come up with. Ride shares, designated driver, taking a taxi, or any other viable means could potentially help. The issue that then arises is whether or not people will feel the want or desire to do so.

This essay emphasizes and looks at the impact of motor vehicle deaths and some of the changes that could be implemented to change the overwhelmingly high statistics. I argued that better driver education, and public awareness programs are necessary to ensure safer roads. It highlights the dangers of distracted driving, presenting statistics that demonstrate how distractions, particularly from cell phones and impairment due to alcohol and drugs, increase the likelihood of fatal crashes.