Stop the Numbers & Educate

Stop the Numbers & Educate

Driving is not a necessity; it’s a privilege. A privilege that a percentage of people take advantage of. Those driving commercials where the teen is more focused on their phone than on the person on the road. Looking up at the last second, they either crash, create this big accident or make it to the brakes in time. Through those commercials, they tell real-life stories. Sometimes it takes seeing a portrayal that hits close to home to make the change that is needed.

Being on the road may seem scary for new drivers, or the driver is so excited to even be behind the wheel that simple guidelines are missed. The most important thing a new driver can do is to remember their driver’s education. Education importance is to make sure when a driver is behind the wheel, they follow the rules to make sure they are safe and bystanders. Completing education will help teenagers develop vehicle control and traffic maneuvers. Within that, you are to operate a vehicle on busy interstates, at night safely, and during other dangerous circumstances a driver can undergo. Although it may seem cheaper and more personal to learn from a family member who’s been driving for a while, the recommended option to do is to go to a professional. Driving regulations change all the time, and the one person who will know updated versions are driver instructors. So all though you have shared knowledge, just check-up with an official to get an update.

Steps that need to be taken to prevent and reduce the number of deaths due to driving are making sure laws are followed, and distractions are eliminated. The main problem driving and following the law is driving under the influence—driving while on any substance that makes a person tired or incoherent should not be an option. In 2012, drunk driving killed more than 10,000 lives while causing more than $37 billion in damage a year, according to NHTSA. The key to ensuring everyone is safe even before stepping into a car is appointing a designated driver. If you go by yourself, you can even have a police escort or call a taxi cab. When it comes to eliminating distractions, that means no phone in arms reach and listening to music. Although it’s evident that phones are a big no-no and data of phone requiring accidents happen a lot, it still doesn’t stop the few that always do or think it’s okay when stopped at a red light. To help prevent these, phone companies like Apple have installed a driving mode onto their devices to decrease the number of accidents a year. Some music may not be distracting, but listening to your favorite song loudly or paying attention to changing the song can cause a big accident. You can listen to your favorite songs, but make sure it’s a volume level that will not cause you to go crazy dancing or singing.

As soon as people can educate themselves and respect the laws, understanding that everyone does not need a license to get around because it is a privilege, the sooner the rate of accident-prone car deaths decreases. As the people, we can make a change, but we have to be willing to and discipline those who think they are above the law.