Steer Towards Focused Driving

A large crash echoes through the air as the load-bearing semi slams into the small Toyota’s driver side door. Debris flies in every direction and brakes squeal obnoxiously as all eyes turn to see the unfolding destruction. Sirens sound on the horizon as good samaritans rush to help the victims. One small mistake–a forgotten turn signal or sudden braking– can cause a devastating disaster that changes someone’s entire life in seconds. Drivers should be educated and aware of their surroundings to decrease the amount of destructive car accidents.

The situation described prior is merely hypothetical, but there is no doubt in my mind that it has happened before. Many people classify driving as a harmless activity that requires minimal attention. On the contrary, it is one of the most dangerous of daily activities. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 39,508 fatal car crashes occurred in the United States in 2021. Car crashes can happen due to a wide variety of factors. One of the most common causes of car crashes in the U.S. is low driver attention. A driver can become distracted by passengers, electronic devices, wildlife, and other outside diversions.

To reduce driver distraction, all drivers should be educated on the dangers of the roads and how important strict attention is. Statistics could be used as a scare factor to encourage drivers to practice what they are taught. People on the road should obey all traffic laws–it should not be popular to break the rules. There have already been many improvements made to the driving atmosphere, but many more can be made. Drivers should be taught breathing exercises to use when road rage overtakes them. The U.S. should implement rest places on interstates for tired or angry drivers to recuperate. Phones should be strictly prohibited in any instance. If a driver needs to use their device, they should pull over to one of the rest places. Billboards should be placed strategically along roadsides that make drivers laugh or encourage them to stay safe.

I have never been a part of a serious accident, but a significant number of people around me have. Most of the crashes were caused by wildlife such as deer. I live in a rural area, so it is not uncommon. Drivers in my area are very aware of deer, and often remind others to drive carefully around dusk and dawn. Other crashes my family have been a part of were caused by simple distractions. Accidents happen, and they can’t all be prevented. During my eighth grade year, two students at the local high school experienced a terrible car accident. Under-aged drinking and driving was the primary cause of this crash. The intoxicated driver was traveling at unnecessarily high speeds on backroads. The vehicle spun out of control, and the night ended with both victims in the hospital. One boy had a severely broken leg, and the other–who had neglected to wear a seatbelt– was in a coma for weeks. Both students made a full recovery, and the entire community learned a valuable lesson regarding the mixture of alcohol and driving.

Drunk driving has always been a heavy topic in my community. Many of my peers have been affected by drunk driving in some way or another. We are all very aware of the negative effects of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. I make sure that my friends stay away from that kind of trouble, and keep myself away from it as well. “Institute researchers calculated that 9,409 fatalities per year, or 25 percent of all crash deaths, could have been prevented in 2015-18 if all drivers with BACs of 0.08 percent or higher were kept off the roads” (“State by state”). There have already been many changes made to driving laws to create more road safety: “The key to reducing alcohol-impaired driving is deterrence. People are less likely to drink and drive if they believe they’ll get caught. Sustained and well-publicized enforcement is the best way to let potential violators know they won’t get away with it” (“State by state”). The more educated people are about the negative effects of intoxicated driving, the less likely they will be to drink and drive.

When I drive, I make sure to take all the precautions I can to keep my passengers and I safe. I enforce the use of seatbelts, put away all distractions, and keep my eyes peeled for any possible obstruction of safety. I took a driver’s education class to learn all about driving. I took classes focused on traffic signs, road etiquette, and vehicle operation. These classes warned me about the dangers of distracted driving, driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol, and texting while operating a vehicle.

Driver education courses teach everything from the basics of traffic laws and traffic signs to defensive driving…Many professions involve driving a vehicle to/from work or on the job. For this reason, it is the goal of driver education  courses to put courteous, safety conscious, competent drivers behind the wheel. (“Driver Education”)

I have been raised in a very driver safety-conscious family. In my family, the person occupying the passenger seat is the designated lookout. They are required to pay attention and alert the driver if any deer or pedestrian may become a problem. This practice allows the driver to focus on their valuable task at hand–controlling the vehicle.I take driving seriously to ensure the safety of my loved ones and myself. I obey all traffic laws and highly encourage my peers to do the same. There are few things more dangerous on the road than an uneducated, distracted, or intoxicated driver.