Driver safety

    Growing up I’ve always seen those car crash awareness advertisements and I would always thought that they made them more exaggerated so it would scare people. Turns out they weren’t. While that may be effective for some people I think it is important to really educate drivers on the importance of the road and why it’s absolutely imperative to follow the rules of the road. They say knowledge is power and I believe this to be true, especially in driver’s education. Hundreds of people die because of lack of driver’s education.

      

    According to statistics, it states that “In 2018, there were 228,047 motor vehicle accidents in all of New York City.” That number has risen plenty in 2023. These casualties include but are not limited to drunk driving, people on their phones road rage, and more. People often really undervalue driver education and how essential it is for not only the driver but pedestrians as well. It limits the amount of casualties and accidents there are. Can you imagine the number of deaths that would be avoided if people not only knew the rules of the road but if they followed it as well? In 2019 my mother got into an almost tragic car accident that left her with an injured spine, cut-up lips, and trauma. She was in a cab when another car carelessly made a turn under the red light and collided with the cab that she was in. If only that person had not attempted to jump the red light my mother would have gotten to work instead of the ER and the cab driver would have gone on with his day. She was a little skeptical about getting on the wheel but she faced her fear and now she’s back to driving but is more aware now.

     

    One thing that can be done in order to reduce the number of deaths related to driving is an increase in speeding cameras. People hate speeding tickets and if they knew that they were being monitored more they would second-guess their speed before getting on the road. I think this would be specifically effective on popular highways known for malicious speeding and car accidents. I also feel that bars should not allow drivers to drink heavy drinks and they should have proof that they have a safe way to get home. As of recently, I’ve seen that Brooklyn has installed more speeding cameras and I hope they continue on this route. I know that street racers are often the cause of a lot of car accidents. They speed past other drivers and cause a panic. And even they themselves end up forfeiting control over their vehicles and lose their lives over something that could have been avoided.

     Besides my mother, a few of my other family members have actually been involved in car accidents and it is not all the time they are the victims. My uncle, while he doesn’t get into car accidents is often short-fused and gets frustrated very easily. A friend of mine was recently in an accident due to another driver’s incompetence. The driver did not follow the right-of-way rule and crashed into my friend’s car. My father had a similar problem except he was parked and a driver crashed into him because they were trying to run the red light. Luckily he was not severely injured but he did have to go to physical therapy. People think that because it happens to someone else it won’t happen to them. That is in fact not the case at all, as soon as they start thinking like that, it is mostly likely to happen I feel.

   

      To be a better driver i think it’s important to reevaluate slight decisions. “I sit really necessary to run that red light?” “is where I’m going really that necessary to jeopardize my record and get into a car accident?” it is really the little things that can make a big difference in saving someone’s life and preserving our own. When driving it’s also important to keep your distance in between cars. in the driver’s manual, it even says how important it is to learn how to “share the road”. When driving put the phone on DND(do not disturb) or simply let people know you are driving and that you can call them back later. Being very conscious of your surroundings and blindside is also essential. Drive safe. For yourself and for others.