In the driver’s seat

Driving is a worldwide thing that almost everyone will have to learn at one point in their life, but mastering the art of driving presents a formidable challenge to many people. In today’s day and age, there are ways to help with the challenge that is faced while learning how to drive. Drivers’ education serves as one pathway to overcome this challenge. Also, driver’s education is a formal program or course designed to teach individuals the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to become safe and responsible drivers. These programs are typically aimed at individuals who are learning to drive for the first time, usually teenagers or new drivers.

Driving education holds significant importance in minimizing the number of deaths resulting from driving. Promoting safe driving habits is one of the ways driver’s educations contributes to this goal. Their programs emphasize the importance of following traffic laws, obeying speed limits, and practicing defensive driving. Additionally, drivers’ education, teaches new drivers about recognizing and responding to potential hazards on the road. This education helps drivers form the early habits of safe driving; this reduces the likelihood of risky behaviors that can lead to accidents.

According to the San Diego reports, the top four most common causes of car accidents include distracted driving, speeding, drunk driving, and reckless driving. So, I believe the steps that can be taken into consideration when trying to reduce the number of deaths related to driving should take care of these 4 causes first. One way that we could help with these causes is enforcing stricter enforcement of traffic laws to deter violations and hold reckless drivers accountable. We could uphold and strengthen laws against driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs with severe penalties for offenders. Lastly, we could encourage and educate drivers on following traffic laws, respecting speed limits, and practicing defensive driving. Reducing the number of deaths related to driving is going to require a lot of time and patience to create a safer road environment for everyone.

Throughout my life, I have been on the road many times, but one of the worst car accidents that I have ever witnessed transpired on a rainy night. Me, my brother, my sister, and my dad were on the highway on our way home from church when the incident occurred. It was dark at night and the relentless rain rendered visibility to an absolute minimum. Suddenly, a vehicle ahead of us jumped up in the air and spun out right in front of us. All of us were too startled to say anything at the time. Me and my brother looked at each other stunned by what had just happened. Then, we both turned to my dad to see the same expression on his face. This accident was the topic of discussion the whole ride home. When this happened to us it got me thinking, that could have been us out there that got in that accident. Which is why I believe drivers should be taught how to drive in the rain properly and should be held to higher enforcement of traffic laws during the rain to keep drivers safe.

When it comes down to being safe on the road there are many steps you can take to be a safer driver for you and for everyone else around you. Most of these steps are up to personal preference but I believe the top five steps to become a better and safer driver are, Step one: continuous education: stay updated on traffic laws and regulation. Step two: avoid distractions: refrain from using your phone and engaging in activities that could distract you from driving, like texting, talking, or using apps. Step 3: Never drive under the influence: It can impair your vision and decrease your mind’s planning and organizational skills and two, if you get caught driving under the influence it could result in jail time. Step 4: obey speeding limits. I know it may be tempting to go over the speed limit when you are late, but it’s better to be there late than to not get there at all because you got in a crash. Also change your speed according to the road conditions, weather, and traffic flow. Final step: share the road and respect pedestrians: yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and be courteous around cyclists and other drivers. show patience and avoid aggressive behaviors such as tailgating and road rage. These are only five out of the many steps there are that you could follow to make the roads a better and safer environment.

It’s crucial to understand that the world we live in is not a perfect place, there will be accidents no matter how hard we try to stop them. That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t do whatever we can to keep the number of deaths from car accidents as low as possible. It is going to take some time, but I truly believe if we never give up on the idea of a safer driving environment the world can become a better place for drivers of all ages.