A Simple Way to Save a Life

Two inevitable things in life are taxes and death. Though what’s to say that death can be avoided or at least postponed to a later date. Yes, it is possible through the mode of safe driving this can occur. This year in 2021, the deaths due to driving has had an immense increase. In the first half of 2021 it is calculated that around 20,200 people died due to motor vehicle crashes. This is deaths alone, now let’s imagine the other results which range from minor to severe injuries.

Driver education may not be everyone’s ideal way to learn how to drive. Many people believe that there is no need to learn through this method of teaching, others believe that the best way to learn is to just get in the car and start driving or be taught by a family member. While this may help, it may not always be the best alternative. The reason why driver education is important in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving is because it sets the rules and standard information needed. Thus allows one to know how to drive safely and properly. Driver education teaches one the correct way to switch lanes, make turns, etc. This will help the learners to drive adequately and know the rules of the road when driving which would decrease the amount of accidents and result in fewer deaths. This is a better way compared to the alternative methods of being taught by a family member or learning by oneself. While these methods are very common and helpful, oftenly these drivers do not know all the rules when driving and can lead to accidents. Accidents which could have been avoided with driver education set in place.

The implementation of driver education in high school would be a key step in the right direction to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. Teenagers in most states are allowed to receive their permit and license at the age of 16. The best way to learn anything is at an early age and it should be the correct way which is why teenagers should be given the opportunity to learn how to properly drive in high school. Oftenly teens believe that driving a car is simple but teens are a main cause of accidents that occur due to their poor decision making and lack of experience. Though if schools start adding drivers education as a mandatory class taken before graduating and available once turning 16 it would be beneficial for them as well for others. Students will be able to learn from their mistakes and have instant access to an instructor in order to improve their way of driving and knowledge of the rules of the road. Another important step to reduce the number of deaths related to driving is through highschools highlighting the importance of things not to do while driving. I believe that in order to improve it is very important to teach others about the dangers, and it would be a huge step to highly inform the future drivers of America of the consequences that result in driving in which they shouldn’t. Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs or text driving are some examples of ways how people should not be driving. These are some of the main reasons why motor vehicle accidents occur leading to unwanted deaths. When stating how the future drivers of America must learn of the dangers and consequences of driving, I’m not referring to just the usual articles/videos of “Do Not Do While Driving” but instead add to this by showing the students how people from the other side have been affected due to one’s poor decision making while driving. If the affected party agrees I believe that it would be a great way to show students how some people are injured gravily and improve after a long time in physical therapy while others might be suffering through major injuries which affect their ability to walk and affect them mentally. They can demonstrate how that accident is affecting their wife, parents, children, and other loved ones as well as their daily lifestyle.

I had an experience of being in a car accident, it was around 5 years ago. My father was driving me to soccer practice and he made a left turn. The other car driver who hit us was heading straight, I believe he was texting because he didn’t slow down even though we had the right of way and he had a lot of time to do so. So the other driver’s car crashed into the right back of our car and I remember being in the car with my dad spinning. Luckily the accident wasn’t too awful. In this moment I remember being frightened and how when we headed home my mother, grandma and little brother were all thankful that we were all okay. Thinking about it now, I realize how lucky we were that the accident wasn’t too serious. I say this because if the car was 2 seconds faster it would have crashed into the passengers right front door meaning it would have hit me directly and the incident might have been way more serious affecting me and my health. This shows how a mistake at texting while driving, not following the rules of the road, or any other negligence while driving can affect one’s life instantly and change it in a matter of seconds.

The common thing that I do in order to be a better and safer driver is that when I drive I always leave my phone muted so that it won’t distract me when driving. This I feel is a simple and easy way to keep the road safer and be a responsible driver. A step I can improve in order to be a better driver is to be more consistent in leaving my house early in order not to drive under pressure and feel hurried. This would improve the unlikelihood of any poor decisions while driving occurring. I consider myself good at always leaving enough time to drive in a safe manner but at times while driving to college or somewhere else being late does occur.

So by learning and listening we all can help avoid the death of someone while driving and in a simple way help save a life.