Hazardous Driving Harms Lives

Driving education is extremely important in the prevention of driving related fatalities. Getting educated before going behind the wheel helps drivers become more conscious of the other drivers around them, think more clearly and evaluate their actions. Having introspection before making certain decisions on the road such as texting and driving, drinking and driving, or letting someone you know drive under the influence helps maintain a safer environment and acts as your own preventative measure to ensure the safety of yourself and others on the road. When one has background knowledge of accidents and how they can occur, it can help prevent future accidents.

There are many precautions that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. Frequently watching educational videos on driving can reduce accidents. Watching drivers ed videos every year can improve the knowledge of accidents and how to prevent them whilst renewing knowledge about driving.

Another precaution is to have a designated driver for events in which you or someone you know may feel inclined to drive under the influence. When one drives under the influence they compromise their ability to make decisions and drive safely. If one cannot find a designated driver, Uber and taxis are also great alternatives.

A third precaution is being mindful and conscious while driving. This seems simple, but surprisingly this is an occurrence drivers face far too often. Driving in a trance-like state. When the driver’s mind is preoccupied while driving, the reflexes are slowed and delayed. Letting your guard down especially when in a car is extremely dangerous. To evade this habit, drivers must stay focused on the road. If the driver is feeling lethargic try to switch drivers if possible or try anything to stimulate the brain. Whether that be music, coffee, energy drinks, simple conversation etc.

Lastly, making wise decisions when the weather looks untrustworthy. If the weather doesn’t look safe to drive in, use your best judgment call and avoid driving in it. Especially with snow or heavy rain, hydroplaning is a serious and scary occurrence that can happen.

Getting a driver’s education is more pertinent when you have a personal experience with hazardous driving. I have never been in a serious car accident, however my uncle this past year was hit by a car and killed. On June 27th, 2023 Henry Leib was on an electric scooter on the way to the grocery store and was hit by a car from behind. He is a 6 ‘6 tall man not to mention the scooter gave him an added 2 inches. He was huge, so my family believes that the driver was either distracted or under the influence because there was no way one could have missed him. Distracted driving is dangerous and takes lives. This personal experience with hazardous driving and its consequences has concreted my thoughts about the importance in getting an education before driving on the road.

Steps we can take to help ourselves and others become safer drivers on the road include; avoiding texting and driving, making a passenger send a message or change the music for you instead of distracting yourself is an important step one must take to ensure safe driving and full consciousness on the road. Not engaging in distracting conversation, the drivers full attention needs to be on the road so the passengers job is to avoid distracting the driver. avoiding driving while extremely emotional, Emotions can impact your reaction time and your presence on the road. And lastly, slowing down, Speeding is a leading cause in accidents on the road. Slowing down ensures that you will have more reaction time. Our family is still recovering from this tragedy. It hurts to think that if this driver paid attention, or chose not to text and drive, or chose not to speed, my uncle would still be alive today.

When I was in the car with a family member who often texts and drives, I told them to give the phone to me and let me make the text or call the person instead of texting them. I let them know that It made me uncomfortable and was an unsafe driving habit and they should change this action. They immediately apologized and handed me the phone. This simple conversation and intervention shows how easy it can be to prevent hazardous driving hazards from your family and friends.

I used to not take drivers ed as seriously as I should have. Like many teenagers now, I took drivers ed online, so it was very easy to lose focus. Having the personal experience with accidents that I have now, I feel that the education of driving is more important to me. I see how reckless driving impacts lives. Like a drop in the ocean, a ripple effect occurs and whole communities are distraught and affected.