How to be Safe on the Roads

Every child has had that moment when they could not wait to finally turn sixteen, to finally be able to drive and get out on the open road by themselves. However, some young drivers do not fully comprehend how big of a responsibility driving is. This in turn causes them to become reckless drivers, who have little to no concept of what being a responsible driver means.

The importance of driver education in reducing the number of deaths due to driving is to make drivers aware of the real dangers of getting behind the wheel. One of the main dangers of getting behind the wheel is the actions of other people on the road that are beyond the driver’s control. Other people could be driving recklessly endangering everyone else on the road. A lot of young drivers do not fully understand just how big of a responsibility it is to oversee a vehicle and to not only keep themselves safe but also to be aware of other people’s actions on the road. Driver education programs aim to teach drivers the rules of the road and the importance of being a responsible driver. By educating drivers about the risks and dangers associated with driving, driver education programs can help reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries on the roads. Some examples of driver education programs that can help teach responsible driving include classroom instruction, online courses, behind-the-wheel training, and defensive driving courses. Additionally, some programs may focus on specific topics such as distracted driving, impaired driving, or teen driving safety.

Some steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving are to expose some young drivers to people who have been in bad car accidents and explain to them what happened and what these people could have done to prevent the accident. By doing this the young drivers would empathize with the victim and see them as an actual person and not just a statistic. Additionally, being aware of your driving as well as other people’s driving, being mindful of your speed, and running preventive maintenance on your vehicle are all important steps to being a better and safer driver and helping others be safer on the road. Driver education programs can also play a crucial role in teaching drivers about the risks and dangers associated with driving and promoting responsible driving.

I have never been in a car accident, however, my grandmother and grandfather got into a car accident. My grandfather went off the side of the road to avoid a head-on collision and ended up flipping the vehicle. Both my grandmother and grandfather survived, but they had some severe injuries. While riding with my friends and family members I have never seen them drive irresponsibly, they are all careful defensive drivers who always watch what other vehicles are doing. According to the CDC, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States. In 2019, there were 2,375 teen drivers aged 15-19 involved in fatal crashes, and an additional 184,000 teen drivers were treated in the emergency department for injuries sustained in motor vehicle crashes.

There are many different steps to be a better and safer driver and to help others become safer on the road. These steps include always following traffic rules and regulations, always wearing a seatbelt, and ensuring that all passengers in the vehicle do the same. Also, avoid distracted driving, such as using a mobile phone or eating while driving, and keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. More steps are being mindful of your speed and staying within the speed limit, regularly maintaining your vehicle to ensure it is in good condition. More steps include Being aware of other drivers on the road and anticipating their actions, encouraging others to follow safe driving practices, and reporting any dangerous driving behavior to the authorities. Some other steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving include exposing young drivers to people who have been in bad car accidents and explaining what happened and what these people could have done to prevent the accident. This helps young drivers empathize with the victim and see them as an actual person and not just a statistic. Additionally, being aware of your driving as well as other people’s driving, being mindful of your speed, and running preventive maintenance on your vehicle are all important steps to being a better and safer driver and helping others be safer on the road. Driver education programs can also play a crucial role in teaching drivers about the risks and dangers associated with driving and promoting responsible driving.