Stay Focused, Save Lives

The United States relies heavily on cars, trucks, motorcycles, and buses for the majority of transportation. This means that the American people are frequently put at risk for injuries on the roads. Drivers’ education courses are extremely important in minimizing the number of deaths caused by road accidents. During classes, drivers are able to learn and review the rules of the road. When people are informed about what different signs mean, proper right of way rules at intersections, speed limits, and how to interact with other drivers, they are less likely to be involved in an accident. Learning how to properly handle the vehicle, how to use turn signals, how to properly switch lanes and park, and how to remain in control of your car while driving in dangerous conditions are all lessons that can help make the roads safer. Lessons also call attention to what will happen if someone is not in the right state of mind behind the wheel. Someone who is driving aggressively or under the influence of drugs or alcohol is more likely to cause a fatal accident, and it’s important to be exposed to these dangers.

I think we could take many steps to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. Although many are extreme and will most likely not be implemented anytime soon, they would most likely be effective. Cameras at every traffic light and more frequent radar checks to monitor speeding may implore people to be safer when driving in those areas. Currently, many people speed to make it through a yellow light, or go faster in areas where they know there are not police cars to check their speed. However, these are extremely dangerous habits, and if there was a higher probability that someone were to get fined for committing one of these offensives, they may be more careful. Another step could be to prohibit all driving during severe weather. Many times, during dangerous weather, there will be massive pileups even though there was a dangerous road or storm warning in place. Instead of having it be only a warning, not allowing people to drive at all would cause the frequency of those accidents to decrease. Another idea is to place breathalyzers in every car. These have already been invented, and work well the majority of the time for those that have them. If this device was placed in every car, anyone who was about to drive would be stopped if they had consumed any alcohol. Often when drunk, people misjudge their abilities to drive safely, and if a breathalyzer were installed in every vehicle, it would stop these overconfident drivers from getting behind the wheel.

Unfortunately, many of my family and friends do not practice safe driving techniques. After driving for so many years, many can overestimate their abilities to drive safely. My father doesn’t wear his seat belt a lot because nothing bad has happened yet. My mother adjusts the music on her phone because nothing bad has happened yet. But all it takes is one mistake. It is appalling how many drivers believe that years of driving make them immune to issues.

I used to work at a car wash, and during my time working there, I witnessed a car accident. The employee was bringing the car out of the tunnel, going to park it so he could finish drying it off; however, he misstepped, swerved into the road, and hit three cars that were stopped at a red light. No one was fatally injured. However, one of the cars was totaled, and the passenger in another car had a minor neck injury. Even though he was an experienced driver, at that moment, something went wrong. Through these experiences I have learned that even if you are only in the car for a short amount of time, or doing something you have done a thousand times before, when you are behind the wheel of a vehicle, driving needs to be at the forefront of your attention.

The most important thing when trying to be a safe driver is to obey all traffic laws. The speed limits were put in place for a reason, and speeding and swerving around other cars to get to your destination a few minutes earlier is not worth the risk. I always try to be a good role model to other drivers when I am on the road. By fully stopping at all stop signs, not speeding through yellow lights, going the speed limit, and using my turn signals when switching lanes, I hope other drivers will follow in my footsteps. Similarly, I try to be a good role model to my younger sister and friends when they are in the passenger seat. I do not look at my phone and always give driving my full attention. By modeling safe driving habits, I hope to influence others to do the same. If everyone on the road does their part and drives responsibly, we may be able to significantly decrease fatal accidents on the road.