The Responsibility of Being a Driver

Driver’s Education is crucial to reducing deaths resulting from driving. Driving is something that most Americans do and in order to stay safe we must ensure each driver has obtained a certified driver’s education course. Driver’s education is taught so that all drivers know the tools how to deal with situations that may occur and also how to avoid them. It is vital that every driver goes through this process because this by itself can help reduce the number of deaths caused by driving. Driver’s Education is also important because it teaches us the importance of being aware and cautious. Awareness of other drivers is very important. In the event, something happens your awareness can determine how the situation may end. You aren’t only driving for yourself but you are also driving for others. The knowledge we obtain from these driving courses creates responsible drivers. This is one key component to reducing deaths and making safer roads.

The most necessary step to reduce the number of deaths related to driving is to remove any and all distractions. The number one distraction when driving is the usage of phones. It is not possible to drive and be on your phone all at once. There is no excuse for using your phone while driving even when trying to use navigation systems, you should not have your phone in hand. If that’s the case, driving educators suggest using hands-free settings. This is one of the leading causes of accidents. Another distraction researchers say is a leading cause of car accidents is food or alcohol usage. Though the food may not seem like it could cause an accident, it very much could. While you reach for that fry or your favorite sauce in the bag is a second your eyes are off the road. Someone could be hitting their brakes right in front of you and you wouldn’t notice until it’s too late. Now alcohol use or driving under the influence is a very dangerous cause of accidents. Yes, all of the previously listed distractions are dangerous as well but personally, I believe this is the most dangerous but also the most easily preventable. The next actionable step is to get rid of drinking and driving completely. Most accidents that result in death are from drunk drivers. When it comes to being under the influence you aren’t working at your full capacity. Psychologically, drugs and alcohol interfere with the way neurons send, receive, and process signals via neurotransmitters. It inhibits the controlling of balance, memory, speech, and judgment. With our current world’s advancements driving under the influence can be easily avoided. We have rideshare services available to us such as Uber, Lyft, etc. You can order one of those or have someone do it for you. It just comes down to if that person is responsible enough to make the right choice instead of saying “I’m fine” or “ I didn’t even drink that much”. The only person you are trying to convince is yourself so don’t be foolish enough to fall for that.

I have been in a handful of car accidents in my life, none were my fault. There is one accident in particular, I will always remember especially because it was our first one. My family and I were in our white Altima at the time exiting off of the freeway onto some side streets. We were on our way to an annual food festival in LA. As we approached an intersection and stopped there before the accident, it felt like a calm before a storm. My family and I were laughing, talking, listening to music, and just having a good time. Then as our light turns green we go and out of nowhere, a 2012 Chevy Suburban slammed right on the driver’s side of our Altima. Our car goes flying across the intersection. Long story short everyone was okay except for my mom. She had to be admitted for a back and leg injury. Our accident was collateral damage from a different accident which was caused by a mix of drunk driving and road rage. This is exactly why drinking and driving needs to be gone for good, it is dangerous and needs to be prevented when possible.

A step I can take when driving is to be more patient. A lot of accidents occur when people are trying to rush to get where they need to be or when they get cut off by someone. I know I can get a little bothered when someone cuts me off especially when they don’t use their blinker but getting upset can only escalate the situation. Instead, I can let off my gas so I can put some space between me and the next car or I can get away from them when it is safe to do so. Another step I can take to be a safer driver is to go to the speed limit. It is very easy to go above the speed limit to match other drivers. I know personally, I try to match other drivers because I get very uncomfortable when they ride in the back of my car or when people honk at me. I do make sure to not go above and beyond the speed limit but even just a couple of mph above the set limit can result in a dangerous accident or situation. There is a reason for everything, the signs are there for decoration. Every sign you see is important and worth learning. I believe this is a very important step everyone should take the time to follow and learn to make the roads safer.