Take the Wheel

Fatalities due to driving accidents have a far higher number than most people are aware of. Automobiles do not initially present themselves as a source of high deaths and a consistent loss of life but this is indeed the case. So many drivers, not only across America but the world as a whole, are unaware that once they sit down behind the wheel of an automobile, they must become conscious of every person that they pass by on the street, for any one of them could become another fatality to an automotive accident. Drivers in America today do not completely grasp the importance of being fully educated on driving and what some of the ramifications may be when they are not educated about all of the various aspects.

An uneducated driver is no less dangerous than an uneducated worker or untrained soldier. When a supervisor gives a construction worker dangerous equipment, they expect the worker to understand the risks that come with using said equipment and how to properly execute procedures to ensure the safety of themselves and those around them as well. If a construction worker does not fully understand how to operate their machinery, they will not only hurt themselves, but put the lives of others in danger, as their negligence could lead to someone’s death. Driving an automotive vehicle without the proper education carries the same risks. Disregarding seat belt regulations or sobriety laws set in place by states could result in the direct injury of the driver. In the same fashion that a soldier is responsible for the lives of their unit, a driver is also responsible for the lives of their passengers. Refusing to abide by traffic laws and speeding zones can endanger the lives of children, passengers, and other pedestrians that are unfortunate enough to be caught in the path of a reckless driver.

In the city of Lexington, Kentucky there are a multitude of drivers who routinely ignore traffic laws. Many of them tear down roads 20 to 30 miles over the speed limit, while others attempt to cross over multiple lanes of traffic with no signals. These careless and uneducated drivers put the lives of small children in danger when they continue to disregard traffic safety laws in school areas or neighborhoods with hearing impaired residents. Their lack of proper driving education only increases the number of fatalities to reckless drivers each year instead of attempting to decrease it. Another reason that educated drivers behind the wheels of vehicles is important is that innocents who die to their carelessness are not the only ones affected. Even if someone is fortunate enough to survive a car accident, they may suffer injuries and can even develop trauma.

When I was 16 years old, I was involved in a car accident. The truck in which I drove was rear-ended causing my vehicle to propel forward into the back of another car. Feeling the body of the truck crumple together as my body suddenly lurched forward was a truly terrifying experience. I will never forget the way the seat belt snapped into an almost solid form as the windshield fractured and shattered. My proper education and adherence to driving safety kept me from being a cross on the side of the road. I was able to survive the accident with minimal injuries but the truck that my grandmother gave me as a gift from my deceased grandfather was completely destroyed, as it had to be scrapped. That incident is one of the reasons why I personally hold driver’s education in such high importance. It was due to that driver’s blatant disregard for driving safety and education that put my life in danger and destroyed a valued family treasure.

Despite the high percentages of dangerous and uneducated drivers, there are still actions that can be taken to reduce driving related accidents and the fatalities that come from them. For instance, drivers can obey their state’s regulations for road safety, such as only driving when sober, not having distractions inside the vehicle that would take their attention away from the road, and paying close attention to the signs that are posted on roadsides. Another way someone can reduce driving related accidents is by taking a Driver’s Education course. Even though many schools no longer offer these, there are a variety of programs that offer a thorough Driver’s Education. Regardless of the free time these courses take, being a safe and educated driver is always worth the extra effort.