Driving: Safety First

I was idling at a red light just a few miles from my house as I was making my weekly trip to piano lessons when suddenly, the driver of the SUV directly in front of me let his foot off the brakes and slowly rolled into the intersection. It seemed to all happen in slow motion as I watched a large, red truck going well over the speed limit of the small farm-to-market road slam on its brakes as it collided with the SUV. Screech…crash! The truck T-boned the SUV, making it fly several yards sideways, almost causing it to roll. As soon as the vehicle came to a stop, the crushed passenger door flew open, and an older man stumbled out of the vehicle, clutching his chest and neck. Soon after, the driver got out of the vehicle and sat next to his passenger. By this time, my mom, who was taking me to piano lessons, and all the people who were stopped behind us had called 911 and were heading to the crash victims to see if they were okay. Eventually, a few ambulances arrived, and as far as I know, the crash caused no casualties or major injuries. Now, every time I pass that intersection, or any intersection for that matter, I take an extra careful look.

Vehicle collisions are a leading cause of non-natural death, taking the lives of approximately forty-three thousand people per year in the United States. Thousands of these deaths could most likely be avoided if people were more knowledgeable about driving so they could make better decisions on the road. Luckily, there are a lot of straightforward rules of driving that, if followed, substantially lower the risk of accidents. Everybody knows speed limits are meant to be followed, red lights and stop signs meant to be stopped at, blinkers meant to be used, and seatbelts meant to be clicked. However, not everybody does these things. Imagine if the rules of the road were just a guessing game, and people stopped only when they felt like it or drove at whatever speed they wanted. The driving death toll would increase substantially each year! This shows the importance of following the rules.

It would be great if everyone followed the rules precisely, but sadly, the world does not work like that. There will always be speeders, red-light runners, and drunk drivers. Violators of the road rules such as these cause the majority of collision deaths. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, around thirty-two percent of all United States traffic collision fatalities involve drunk drivers in some way, and in approximately thirty-three percent of motor vehicle fatalities, traveling over the speed limit was a contributing factor. Distracted driving is another rising concern, accounting for many accidents due to activities like texting, eating, or even adjusting the radio. This lack of focus endangers everyone on the road. Reducing the deaths caused by these offenders would be fundamental, and a strong start to doing this would be to strengthen the enforcement policies placed against them. Increasing the number of police patrols and red-light cameras would likely reduce these crimes, as it would be harder to get away with, deterring people from breaking the road rules as they do not want to face punishment.

As for punishments, jail time, fines, and defensive driving classes are already implemented, but much-needed upgrades to these are necessary. Educational programs should be made mandatory for repeat offenders. Such courses should focus on the violator’s specific offense, and the hours per class would increase with each time the crime is repeated. Not only would this educate offenders, but hopefully, it would also serve as a reminder of the consequences their actions can have on others. For example, a drunk driver could be required to hear personal stories from families affected by similar accidents, while speeders could analyze crash footage to understand how seconds of recklessness can lead to permanent damage.

Overall, the best way motorists can prevent accidents on the road is to follow the rules and be knowledgeable about them. No one is above the rules; they are there for a reason and save lives. Their purpose is not to inconvenience drivers but to ensure the safety of everyone on the road. These rules have been evolving for hundreds of years, even before cars were on the roadways, and every little aspect of them has been tested by time and people, again and again. By exercising responsible driving practices, each of us contributes to a safer environment for ourselves and others. It only takes a split second of carelessness to cause a lifetime of regret. Whether it is something as simple as checking your mirrors or as critical as stopping at a red light, every action matters when behind the wheel.