Safe Driving

Motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death. According to the CDC, “In 2009 alone, crashes killed over 33,000 people and injured another 2.2 million—more than 70% of these were in passenger vehicles and trucks.” Car crashes can happen anytime while driving, and while one doesn’t have entire control over other people’s actions on the road, there are steps each of us can take to be a safe driver.

First and foremost, to reduce the number of deaths related to driving, it is important to always wear a seatbelt. According to the CDC, “seat belts reduce the risk of death by 45%, and cut the risk of serious injury by 50%.” Additionally, “People not wearing a seat belt are 30 times more likely to be ejected from a vehicle during a crash. More than 3 out of 4 people who are ejected during a fatal crash die from their injuries.” Wearing a seatbelt is the number one way of reducing one’s risk of death in a car crash, and it is one of the easiest things a passenger can do to stay safe. Moreover, it is important to avoid distractions, which are one of the main causes of getting in a car accident. I have never been in a serious car accident myself, although about a year ago, my mother got in a car crash in which her car got totaled. My mother was safe – no injuries, thankfully. After the accident, I remember her talking about the fact that she was on a Zoom call during her ride, which she feels that she shouldn’t have been on and would have probably kept her more focused on the road, thus less likely to get in an accident. My mother’s experience has influenced my behaviors on the road because I’ve seen what distracted driving can do, so I want to do as much as I can to reduce my chances of getting in a serious accident. I know that whenever I drive there is always a certain level of risk, but there are certain steps everyone can take in order to drive safely.

As previously mentioned, one of the main causes of car accidents is distracted driving. While phones are useful for navigation by GPS, it is important not to check notifications or answer phone calls when on the road. Whenever I drive, I like to use my phone for Google Maps, as it is a convenient way of knowing where to go, although a good way of preventing distractions is by turning off notifications. Before I start the car, I turn on the “do not disturb” setting so I don’t get distracted by any messages while I’m driving. However, while cell phones are definitely the most obvious form of distraction, another common distraction on the road is food. Eating is another common way of getting distracted while driving, so it is important to eat before getting behind the wheel. Or, pull over and stop to eat if you are hungry. In addition to distracted driving, one of the other main causes of car accidents is driving while intoxicated. Never get behind the wheel while drunk or on drugs. Period. A good solution to drunk driving is having somebody who does not drink be the “designated driver”. If my family and I go to a party or family gathering, which my parents drink at sometimes, then usually I am the designated driver, since I am not twenty-one yet. Just as critical as not driving while intoxicated, one should also not drive when tired. If you’re driving while tired, that creates a slower response and makes you less able to pay attention to the road. If you’re too tired to drive, get rest before going back on the road or trade off with someone else if driving with another licensed driver. Some other ways to be a safe driver on the road include driving close to the speed limit, and not too far above or below it (remembering to drive slower when it’s raining, though!), as well as not tailgating other drivers. It is important not to speed or tailgate because when you do so, that increases chances of getting into an accident because it allows for more time to slow down or stop if something unexpected happens in front of you. While it is impossible to control other people’s driving on the road, you have the power to control your own.

Driver education is a vital step in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving because it teaches people how to operate a vehicle safely, obey traffic laws, and avoid distractions while driving. I still remember much of what I learned in my driving education, which has helped me become the safe, cautious, attentive, and vigilant driver I am today.