Driver Safety

Driver education is something that is extremely important for the safety of any community. Car and motor vehicle accidents are all too common in the United States, and many result in high mortality rates daily. A great example of how driver education can reduce the number of deaths, is the Joshua’s law practice in the state of Georgia. Joshua’s law, according to the Georgia Department of Driver Services, is a requirement for all teen drivers to receive standard drivers’ education. The law was created after the death of Joshua Robert Brown, a 17 year old driver from Cartersville, GA, just eighteen miles from my hometown. He was tragically injured for nine days after a car accident that caused him to swerve and hit a tree; he later passed due to his injuries. His parents were devastated and decided to raise awareness about drivers’ education and its importance, eventually leading to Joshua’s law getting passed in 2005. Since then, teen drivers’ fatality has decreased by 60%, also equating to 181 teenager’s lives saved every year. It’s no coincidence. Driver’s education in Georgia is outright saving lives.

Aside from general driver’s education, there are many practices that can help prevent car accidents and fatalities. A major topic that I would like to bring up is driving while under the influence. According to the CDC, in 2020 30% of all traffic related deaths were due to alcohol-impaired drivers. That is 11,654 deaths, which all could have been prevented if those drivers were sober. It is imperative that people restrain from driving under the influence and encourage friends and family to do so also. Another killer in car accidents comes from distracted driving, which is most commonly in the form of a handheld device. 3,308 people were killed in 2022 from distracted driving. I don’t mean to bring up my state again, but the proof is in practice. In 2018, Georgia passed the Hands-Free law, making it illegal to physically handle a wireless device while behind the wheel. This seems to have a significant impact as the fatalities dropped from 82 in 2017 to 43 in 2019 within the state of Georgia. That’s almost a 50% decrease in fatalities, and almost a 50% increase in the amount of people who went home to their loved ones alive. Another very important step to take to increase safety when in a motor vehicle is to wear a seatbelt. Though it sounds simple, it is very important to keep you safe in a car. When someone gets into a car accident, the seatbelt prevents their body from being thrusted at high speed through the car windshield. According to NHTSA.gov, seatbelt use in passenger vehicles saved around 14,955 lives in 2017 alone.

Personally, I have never experienced a car accident, and that is not something that I would like to change. I have known people however, that have been affected by the death of a loved one due to a car accident. Just last year, a teenage girl from a school no more than 10 minutes away from me was killed in a car accident, and her friends and family were deeply impacted. Her life ended as she crossed the street, due to a drunk driver who wasn’t aware of what was going on. It is a fact that you are never completely aware of your surroundings driving drunk, and this accident cost a girl her life. To help my friends and family stay safe while on the road, I strive to always remind and encourage them to drive safely. One wrong move in a vehicle could be the difference between life and death. I always wear my seatbelt when I get into my car or anyone else’s car because even if it may seem unnecessary, you never know what could occur and you may wish you had the belt on. When I’m driving, I try to eliminate as many distractions as possible. For some people this may mean turning down the music, for others it could mean having minimal passengers in your car. For me this means silencing my phone, so I am not tempted to check messages or notifications, potentially putting me and others at harm on the road.

No matter what, you should always put your safety and the safety of others above anything while handling a motor vehicle. Education and awareness are key elements in the protection of people’s lives on the road. If you ever feel unsafe or unable to drive, don’t. Call your loved ones because I am sure that they would rather take the time to ensure your safety than to hear about your death on the news. And next time you are careless on the road, remember that the people around you have people counting on them to make it home safely, and your carelessness could be the reason they don’t.

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