Safety of Driving

Statistics show there are more deaths in America from vehicle crashes then any war daily. When taking Drivers Ed, it is important to realize the responsibility of being on the road you are taking. Most kids take Drivers Ed without thinking about how dangerous it could be due to weather or other drivers. The biggest problem in America is people driving under the influence almost nightly. 100,000 deaths occur yearly due to drunk driving, 31% of which is from people driving with DUI. We also have to realize while we drive, the biggest distractions to us: our phones, activity in the car, radio, etc. There are more distractions which keep our eyes off the road than on. In the American Civil War, there were bout 450 deaths per day, while driving causes over 100,000 deaths a day. This shows how often we are distracted, and how serious people really need to take driving. We need to find ways to not have distractions or having thoughts of driving with alcohol, and to stay away from the wheel if we are.

We can stop deaths from happening simply by taking a second look. Not at your phone, but before you pass an intersection or turn right. Speeding is another big reason why we have accidents. We can easily solve speeding by leaving earlier, or use the ‘cruise’ button in order to stay at a constant pace. This stops us from speeding, and therefore we become a safer driver. As easy as looking both ways may seem, I double, or even triple, check both ways of the road as I cross an intersection. Cars can come out of no where, and you want to be cautious of your surroundings your whole trip. We can even be more careful during bad weather conditions, and be more cautious of ice, hyrdoplaning, or even stay at home during a snowstorm. When it is recommended to stay off the roads during these conditions, a lot of people seem to continue to drive on the roads, which then tons of alerts are sent out from accidents.

I myself, have been in an accident, although I was not driving. When we were on our way home from getting school supplies, my sister was driving us home. She had only recently started learning. Although the conditions were good, she did not do a second take on both sides. When she went, a car was coming down the hill. Although they were able to slow down a little bit, they still hit us pretty hard. When I saw them coming, I was in the backseat so I moved to the other side of the car. My mom saw and moved as much as she could away in the passenger seat. My sister didn’t realize until it happened. My dad then came and helped us and brought us home. We had to get a new car. Another time is when one of my friends got in a car crash, he was going straight, while someone else wasn’t looking and went to turn. He didn’t slow down because the light was green, and when he ran into the other car, they car they hit swung around in a circle before stopping. My friend wasn’t hurt, although the passenger, one of my other friends, hit his head and cracked the windshield pretty hard. Both these examples are about not looking carefully, but hopefully even when you have right of way, you are stil watching for others who aren’t paying attention.

Although I only fantley remember this accident, my mom and sister tell me about it. We were on good conditions on the road. My mom somehow lost traction on the road and we slid into the ditch. The car flipped upside down and the cops got called. We all safely got out, but after that she has been extra cautious. One other time was when roads were icy and my sister lost traction of the road on the way to school, she was able to keep control of the car while going into the ditch. We didn’t roll over, but we were pretty well stuck. As we got out, the car behind us pulled over after watching us go in. He ended up going to the same town we were headed and knew my dad. I called my dad to double check, and he brought us to school. We shortly got the body shop from my hometown to grab the car, and it was still completely useable. From these experiences, I have learned even when you think the roads are good enough, there are some parts of the road which can completely throw you off, and run you into the ditch. I have learned it is always better to be extra cautious, then have an accident.

To be a better and safer driver on the road, I can keep double checking when passing an intersection. I can keep my speed to a reaonable maximum of the road, and always keep away from other drivers who are driving odd, making weird stops, or turns on the road. I can also allow a Semi or big body vehicles to have more space to turn. This allows the turn for them to be safer, less risk for them, and less likely to put damage on the car or have an injury. Another way I can keep the roads safe for others is never allowing someone who is drinking or already drunk to drive. To be a better driver, I can double check all my mirrors, my blind spots, and continually watch for oncoming traffic when crossing or turning.

Being able to know how to be safe driver is one of the biggest things before you even start driving. It’s always better to report someone who is or looks like they are drunk driving to keep you, them, and anyone else on the road safe. The best way to stay safe is using your seatbelt, staying away from distractions, looking twice before going, and letting big body vehicles have more space to turn. According to a report, 4,600 fatal accidents occur from Semi-trucks, while 182,000 people suffer an injury from an accident invloving a Semi. 88% of these accidents happen from driver error. These can be avoided by allowing more trainings for those truck drivers, and can be stopped by allowing to give them more space when turning.