Save lives with driving safely

As a driver behind the wheel, we have set responsibilities, most importantly our own safety as well as the safety of other drivers and pedestrians around us. For that, it’s best to keep these responsibilities in our minds at all times. When you take part in the driving lessons, it can help us really understand the life and death situations driving can include and help us learn how to make the safest decisions.

The given data shows us that since 1975 the deaths concerning vehicular crashes have decreased from approximately 49,000 deaths a year globally to 32,000 a year; this is a 35% decrease in motor vehicle deaths. Since then, driver education programs have become more and more popular. We can infer that certainly a large proportion of that decrease in deaths including motor vehicles is thanks to driver education programs.

Driver education lessons teach the consequences of our actions or the mistakes possible to make while driving on the road. Along with that, we gain awareness of the potential damage that can happen with an accident. Hence, young people will tend to be more cautious and alert while driving. This will eventually ensure the driver’s safety and others. Taking part in driving classes helps with a clear understanding of what we are supposed to do and what we are not. This in turn provides knowledge on how to react correctly to the situations that we can come across with confidence. This confidence with problem solving on the road along with proper driving skills prevents disastrous and often fatal driving accidents.

Unfortunately, many people, especially young people, do not take driving as seriously as they should, which often results in irresponsible and dangerous driving. A personal story of mine starts at the birthday of a friend. After having a nice dinner, we were bored and a friend proposed we go on a drive seeing as he recently got his driver’s license. With the car full of excited teenagers, not everyone put on their seat belt and the proper safety measures were not being taken to ensure everyone’s safety. What’s more is the driver was not at all focusing on the road or the traffic surrounding us and was rather more interested in scrolling on his phone while driving to find the “right soundtrack”. Me and another friend only went for a short trip before exiting the car and leaving the event seeing as it was not very safe. In the end luckily no accident was caused and no one was injured but it was definitely dangerous and irresponsible with so many lives on the line. 

There are many precautions we can take to reduce the chance of accidents and therefore reduce vehicle related deaths. 

To reduce the number of deaths related to driving, we must always stay vigilant on and off the road whether we are the ones driving or not. Then, we can continue to support driving education to learn how to be safe and confident drivers. 

As for steps we can all take individually to reduce the chance of accidents, I recommend the following: 

Firstly, we can understand that mechanical failure can also cause accidents on the road, so it is important to make sure our vehicles are in top condition. Make sure brakes are working properly, tires are properly inflated, and windows are clean. Better vehicle condition and body posture will give us better more control when driving.

Second, anticipating the movements of others is important to stay in control of situations.  Good drivers drive defensively. We can identify cues to behavior that help predict how other drivers will act or react. Many drivers often act without thinking or communicating, so we must learn to search for clues.

Third, following proper procedures and taking measures to ensure our safety is a must, there is a reason there are rules to follow when in a car.  Wearing a seatbelt can save the driver and passengers from death or serious injury. Turning on the low-beam headlights at all times, even during the day reduces risk by increasing the ability of others to see us. Then of course doing a safety check each time we get in the car which includes- seat adjustments. mirror adjustments. and putting on seat belts.

Fourth, making sure we are of proper health to drive, both body and mind. Driving isn’t something we can do haphazardly; it is an activity that requires full immersion. We must check ourselves to make sure we feel alert and clear headed- if we’re overly tired, or thinking about an upcoming test or argument it will distract from giving full attention to driving and safety.

Finally, we can always make a conscious effort to improve our driving skills. As stated above, the more confident we are in rules and regulations as well as our capabilities the better we can focus on our surroundings. The more we take driving seriously, the safer drivers we can be, and the more lives we save.