Educational Prevention

Educational Prevention

The statistics showing the number of deaths happening on the roads are startling. Steps

have been taken to reduce the deaths on our roadways, such as in 1968 when seatbelts were

mandated in all new U.S. vehicles. This greatly reduced the likelihood that a person would be

ejected during a crash. Though this helps to protect those driving, when we look at the statistics

and see how many people are still being injured and dying, we see that more needs to be done.

There are strict requirements for obtaining a temporary instruction permit. Teenage

drivers often have to take a knowledge test, drive a specific number of hours, and take a drivers

education class before they can test for their probationary license. Though all these requirements

need to be met to obtain a license, I have observed teenagers seemingly forget these rules after

they receive their license. My peers have admitted to speeding, they have teasingly asked to race

me on the roads, and they have been at fault in collisions. It is impossible to eliminate all

collisions, but are we doing all we can to prevent accidents and educate irresponsible drivers?

Education is the key to prevention. I can vouch that the training I received in my drivers

ed. taught me to be a safer driver, as well as why I should be a safe driver. My parents also

played a huge role in my drivers education. My dad taught me how to drive safely. This

education has prevented me from being in an accident thus far, and even helped me to avoid

potential accidents. Though I am not a perfect driver, I can see that drivers education has

prompted me to take responsibility to drive safely.

I believe that education is the main way to help prevent injuries and deaths on our roads.

The first step is to educate people on the reasons behind crashes. These reasons include

speeding, distracted driving, unsuitable weather conditions, and more. Informing the public

about these reasons can be done through programs, community involvement, and advertisements.

Driving educational programs including DMVedu can continue to educate young drivers

about driving safety and the reasoning behind it. Remedial drivers programs can also help to

prevent repeating offenders of traffic laws from continuing to drive recklessly.

Community pledges to drive safely could help to prevent accidents. Simply going door

to door with a pledge to drive safely might be able to help prevent unnecessary deaths. The

leaders of a community could step up to educate their residents about the importance of driving

safely.

Finally, advertisements could be shown and used on social media to educate drivers.

Though this might sound a little silly, this would reach so many people, including young drivers.

This is already used to show the dangers of things such as vaping, so why couldn’t it be used to

promote driving safety as well?

This issue is our responsibility. Driving safety must continue to be addressed. The lives

of our teenagers, families, and friends may depend on it.