Driving safer

I have recently read the grim statics that approximately 34,000 people die a year in car accidents, which is more than the American soldiers died in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. This is devastating to me. I feel that many of these deaths may have been prevented with more education. I believe that drivers education is important and should be mandatory in all schools before taking the drivers education test. My high school does not offer drivers education classes, which prevents over 700 students in my community from gaining valuable knowledge. If every high school required this in order to graduate, thousands of students annually would receive a solid foundation before taking the drivers test. I feel the drivers education course should contain these grim statics relating to annual deaths as well as an open discussion on the importance of driving and the consequences of not adhering to your state laws. I believe this knowledge would reduce the number of deaths due to reckless drivers.

One step to reduce the number of driver related deaths is to educate teenagers on the dangers of cell phone use while driving. I notice many times when I am driving and am stopped at a red light, drivers are on their phones. This is a problem, as they are not paying attention to their surroundings. I often notice even when I am not at a red light, I see drivers using their phones while driving. This is alarming as they could start drifting into other lanes, hit a car that stops suddenly or a pedestrian. Another step to reduce driver related deaths is educate people on using their turn signals. When I am driving, I often see people turning in front of others and don’t use their turn signals. This can cause an accident if the other driver does not have enough time to stop. Another step to reduce the number of driver related deaths is to teach teenagers to pay attention more while driving especially when friends are in the car. I noticed this with my friends, often times we are talking and laughing with the music loud which can make the driver distracted. Perhaps, if teenagers were aware of the grim statics of driver related deaths, they would be more willing to turn down the music and pay closer attention to the road while driving. Another step is to educate drivers on the importance of not drinking and driving. I have not seen this among my peers as we are not legally allowed to drink, but have noticed this in family members. I have driven family members home that have consumed alcohol. I feel if we can continue to encourage people to have a designated driver or rely on Uber or Lyft, the amount of accidents related to drunk drivers would decrease as well. The final step is to educate people on the consequences of speeding. I feel that people are always in a hurry and often pass me when I am driving the speed limit. I have seen radar speed signs and noticed that drives do not slow down even when the speed is illuminated on the sign. If the signs starting taking pictures of people’s license plate with consequences for those who are exceeding the speed limit, this may be effective to have people adhere to the speed limit.

No, I have never been in a car accident. However, I did notice one time that my mom was texting at a red light and did continue to write the message while driving. My mom did not notice a car that stopped suddenly and she almost hit that car. In that moment, I was scared of getting injured if she would have hit that car. Thankfully, an accident never occurred, but my mom did use that moment as a life lesson on the dangers of texting and driving. I have noticed that my mom no longer touches her phone while driving. My family has taught me to follow the law when it comes to driving and I obey those rules.

I feel that there are several steps I can take and tell others to be safer while on the road. First, to be aware of your surroundings, especially watching other cars when merging lanes. Also, not following too close behind the car in front of you. Secondly, obey the speed limit. When the speed limit is 25 stay at 25, do not go any faster or slower. Finally, stay focused at all times while driving. This includes driving with others in the car, keeping music at a low level and not using cell phone while driving. I feel if I follow the above, I will set a good example for my friends and they will emulate my good behavior. If all drivers followed this advice, we all would be safer on the road.