Driving Fit

Driving education is important in today’s society. There are a lot more people on the road and even more people driving now, more than in past years. “Driving Fit” to me is driving with the education and knowledge to operate a motor vehicle in a safe way. In a way that keeps you as the driver safe, your passengers safe, and others on the road (or even walking or biking) safe. Every life is important, and it is not just a law to drive safe but a moral responsibility.

Receiving driver education is very important in reducing the number of deaths that result from driving accidents. Driver education can be obtained in many ways. Schools offer driving education for students, your local DMV offers courses, private organizations, etc. In our local community, we take driving education one step further. In Florida, the local Sheriff’s office offers defensive driving courses for students who have had their learners for a year and new drivers. This course offers students a way to learn safe driving techniques and to experience obstacles that they may encounter. This provides a way to learn these obstacles before they happen thus preparing the driver to react in a safe way and have more confidence. These types of programs should be implemented in around the US in an effort to reduce the amount of motor vehicles accidents for new drivers.

Additional steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths. One of the most important steps is holding those who have been ticketed for moving violations to a higher standard. Although the fines have increased for drivers who violate the driving laws, there needs to be more stiff penalties for multiple infractions. There have been cases where a person receives multiple DUIs, but they never lose their license and continue to be a hazard. Reckless driving rarely results in jail time. People are given too many chances to repeat the same offense that can cost someone their lives.

In more recent years, car insurance companies have implemented safe driving discounts. To receive this discount there is a device placed in your car to monitor how you drive. It monitors things like speed, braking, the use and how the car is used. This same monitoring could be used by law enforcement for those who have had a driving infraction. This would deter people from making mistakes or intentionally driving in a hazardous way. When someone knows they are being monitored, they are less likely to commit vehicle errors, and this could greatly reduce the number of driving related deaths. This is a way to hold people accountable for their actions. It is well known that it takes 30 days to create new habits. La enforcement could require violators to maintain one of these in their vehicles to be monitored.

Ironically, this summer I was involved in my first car accident. I was home for the summer and was headed to my summer job. It was raining but light outside. As I was driving another driver did not stop at the stop sign and hit the side of my car. The other driver was ok physically and I was a bit shaken up. We pulled to a safe area and called 911. The police officer didn’t even file a report, just asked if everyone was ok and had us exchange insurance information. I was very shocked that the other person did not receive a ticket and that the police officer did not seem concerned.

It is moments like these where the something more could have been one to prevent accidents and hold people accountable for their actions. Yes, we all make mistakes, but mistakes should not cost another person their life. The loss of life affects many people: mothers, fathers, children, work families, friends.

To become a better driver there are many things that you can do to protect yourself and others. I could list off all of the laws to follow, but we know what they are. For me, the best thing is to hold yourself accountable and to hold others accountable. DO not get in the car with people that you know are not doing the right things. When you see something, you say something. You report the driver weaving in and out of lanes or driving 90 miles per hour unlawfully. Accountability is a key component in keeping people safe and reducing the number of deaths from motor vehicle accidents. I have and will continue spreading education about “Driving Fit”. Driving Fit, is driving like your life depends on it, because it does.