Drivers

Driver education is necessary in reducing driving-related deaths by providing new drivers with knowledge, skills, and awareness to navigate the road safely, including understanding traffic laws, defensive driving techniques, hazard identification, and responsible behaviors, which ultimately minimizes the risk of accidents and fatalities, especially among young drivers who are statistically more prone to crashes. The importance of driver education to reduce the number of deaths is imperative to save lives. I have two teenagers who are driving at this time and the way they are doing drivers education is so much better. I remember when I was going to drivers ed, I didn’t have to get as many hours behind the wheel that they are now requiring. When I was in high school 20 years ago, I remember a fatal car accident involving 5 other teenagers that were at my school. It was devastating to the whole community. I think with the changes our state has created to reach zero fatalities is a great goal. I work in healthcare and see results of car crashes and deaths.

I believe that one step that can be taken is to increase fines for those who use phones while driving, to help deter the use of distracted driving. I think another step would be to decrease speed limits. Another step would be to follow traffic laws, wear seatbelts, and limit distractions. Maintaining vehicles is another thing that can be done, keeping the tires and brakes up to date, keeping the windshield clean. No drowsy driving, fatigued driving impairs judgement and increases the risk of crashing..

I was recently in a fender bender where I was stopped at a red light and a car hit from behind. The other driver was driving distracted and admitted to driving a bus and was running late. I think that here in America we are constantly on the run, 10 minutes behind and I know that there is no way to make that better because autonomy, but if we had a slower paced life, I think it would decrease the need to ‘hurry to catch up’ while speeding to get to work on time.

Steps I can take to be a better and safer driver include giving myself ample time to get where I am going, driving the speed limit on the freeway. Continue to wear my seatbelt. I can maintain a safe distance between my car and the car in front of me, maintain my car. I have already turned on my phone so it does not disturb me when I am in my car driving. I can continue to be an example for my children who observe everything.

I believe that safe driving is so important. There are so many unnecessary deaths related to motor vehicles. I think the best case situation would be to have better public transportation to decrease the amount of vehicles on the road. If we had more manageable public transportation, it would provide a safer transportation system. Transit buses are 91 times safer than driving a private vehicle. Public transportation reduces congestion, air pollution, and makes a positive impact on gas emissions. Public transportation saved time by about 865 million hours of travel time in 2011. Public transportation has a positive economic impact, it connects people to jobs, attracts businesses, supports local communities, and provides advertising and a sense of belonging. It supports inclusion of people from all backgrounds and income levels. Using public transportation improves health and well-being by giving access to healthy food and medical care, and introduces a more active lifestyle with ambulating and cycling to get to the bus stops. Public transportation reduces the need for private vehicles and can decrease chronic health conditions. Which in turn helps create a better world to live in.

I am applying for this scholarship to help me advance my career in nursing. I have been accepted into a family nurse practitioner program and I would love to have a better lifestyle of driving safely. Teaching patients about driver safety is imperative to create a safer community. I think that the drivers education has improved significantly, but I think it is something that needs to be revisited from time to time to make sure that us older drivers don’t forget the basics. I have been guilty of forgetting some minor things, and refresher driving courses always are a good way to keep it in my mind. I think that I benefit from reminders.