The Dangers of Ignoring Safety

Driving seems like such a simple task until you are actually the one in the driver’s seat. When I started driving as a high school student, I was terrified thinking about all the implications of being a driver. With just a turn of the steering wheel, I could swerve into oncoming traffic or even run off the road, and that is if I am entirely focused on driving. My actions could easily result in harm to myself or others. Now that I have more experience driving and have observed both my driving habits and those of others, I better understand the importance of being a safe and educated driver.

Informing drivers, both new and old, is the first step in effectively educating them. If no one knows that there is a problem, they are not very likely to care about correcting the problem. Once people are made aware of how serious driver related deaths are, and the statistics related to them, they can be educated on what they can do to help reduce those numbers. Things such as having a passenger be in charge of music, waiting until you are not driving to take phone calls, and keeping both hands on the wheel are all things that could make you a safer driver thus better protecting you and those around you.

A major issue, especially among young drivers today, is distracted driving because they are on their cell phones. Whether it be responding to a SnapChat, changing the song, or taking the BeReal for the day, teens are constantly drawn to their phones and this is no different when they are driving. Bluetooth capabilities in cars today allow for more hands-free control, but it does not completely eliminate the distraction. Taking your eyes off the road for even a few seconds can lead to swerving into other lanes of traffic or even a fatal crash. Passing legislation requiring hands free driving at all times, like what was done in Michigan, is a good first step in curbing some of these behaviors. The next step is to make sure that this is enforced. The behaviors will continue unless there are consequences.

There have been several instances, particularly when my young adult friends and family members are driving, when I have observed unsafe driving habits that they have, for example excessive speed. This is seen especially on freeways where higher speeds are allowed. The issue comes when drivers abuse the ability to drive faster by driving 20-30 miles per hour above the speed limit. This significantly increases the potential dangers as driving at those outrageous speeds means that any small movements are magnified. Young drivers also tend to have the mentality of invincibility and overconfidence which lead them to participate in dangerous driving.

I myself as a driver am not completely innocent. There have been instances where I used my phone while driving to respond to a text message or change the music. In order to be a safer driver, I can make sure to have my music set before I even put the car in drive and pull out into the road. I can also have a passenger be in charge of music. In order to avoid distractions from my phone, I can place it face down on the center console so that the notifications on the screen do not pull my attention off the road.

To help others be safe on the road, I can help them as a passenger. I can volunteer to be in charge of music or navigation to eliminate those distractions for them. I could also make suggestions or requests to help them drive safer. For example I could ask that they slow their speed down if they are driving faster than I am comfortable with. If they are driving at dawn or dusk, I can help watch for animals along the side of the road since they are more active at those times. If they are driving late at night, I can talk to help keep them awake or volunteer to switch with them and drive instead.

Even though I am still a relatively young driver, I can recognize some of the dangers and risks involved with being on the road, being distracted while driving, and not being a responsible driver or passenger. Making people more aware of all the dangers involved with their driving practices is a vital step in making the roads safer for everyone involved. Young adults and new drivers are the most at risk as they are still learning how to drive. This is why thorough education, especially in driver’s training, is so important. We need to take initiative to proactively make the roads a safer place for everyone.