Driver Education Initiative Scholarship

Informing drivers before and while they are on the road is a key factor in reducing the number of vehicle related deaths. Not only is it important for all drivers to be informed, and for steps to be taken, I am also able to take steps myself to reduce the number of deaths caused by driving; as I have seen several friends and family members practicing irresponsible driving. 

Drivers must be more informed if we are to reduce the amount of vehicle deaths. Drivers are fairly well informed prior to being on the road, however evidently, drivers gain confidence and comfortability which often translates into dangerous driving practices. Therefore, drivers should continue to be reeducated; whether that be on the statistics on vehicle related injuries and fatalities, or sharing stories from those forever scarred by the loss of a loved one from a driving related fatality. Many experienced, but uninformed, drivers share thoughts similar to, “It won’t ever happen to me because I’m an experienced driver.” However, there are many other things that occur in vehicle related deaths, that simply can’t all be solved by being an experienced driver. Defensive driving tactics should be taught because that is just one way that we can reduce fatalities on the road. 

Several steps can, and need to be taken to stop or at the bare minimum, gain control on the epidemic of driving related deaths. To begin, all drivers need to be periodically reinformed about the severity of the issue. All drivers need to have the facts and data related to vehicle fatalities heavily reinforced into their heads to stress the importance and continual relevance of the matter. Furthermore, dangerous drivers need to be more heavily penalized when they are caught speeding, recklessly lane changing, tailgating, etc. This would limit many people from doing these things so frequently; yes, they would still occur regularly, however not as frequently. Lastly, the epidemic of motor vehicle deaths in America needs to be talked about more in day to day conversations and more publicly. If we raise more awareness on the subject, it’s bound to have an effect on limiting the number of car accident fatalities, at least to some degree. The stories that those affected by these fatalities have shared need to be shared and heard far more often. The times that I have seen and heard the horrifically tragic stories of either those affected, or those responsible for driving fatalities have had a profound effect on me and my driving practices. Therefore, I believe that sharing this type of story more often will greatly reduce the number of vehicle related deaths.

On several occasions, I’ve experienced hearing a few friends, as well as family members driving inattentively and irresponsibly. I’ve had a few friends who will text me or snap me while they’re driving, and they continually act like it’s cool, normal, and safe. While it has been normalized to an extent, that by no means shows that it ever should’ve been. People should not be on their phones while they’re driving regardless, however they especially shouldn’t be performing actions on their phone that require visual and physical attention. Answering calls on speaker while driving with a hands-free phone mount is much more acceptable, however it is still unsafe. Therefore, phones should be placed in an area where they will not be a distraction whatsoever, as to increase driving safety, and limit the number of accidents on the roads. To continue, I’ve also been in the car with family members where they will be using their phone and texting while driving. Their excuse is always, “I know how to drive, I’ve been doing it for longer than you and I keep glancing up.” For starters, the huge problem with that is they should never be looking down at their phone in the first place. No matter how much experience a driver has, completely random things can occur on the road, therefore, driving always requires your undivided attention. Finally, there is often a difference between knowing how to drive and knowing how to drive safely. Theoretically, most people would be able to drive on empty roads while balancing their attention with their phones or other distractions for that matter. However, once you add in all the variables of other cars, pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, debris in the road, and more, there is no way that a person can regularly drive safely while balancing their attention with distractions.

I myself am also able to take strides to improve my driving skills to be an even safer driver than I already am. Others can also be helped to be better informed and become safer drivers. As I’ve already briefly mentioned, reminding myself of the facts concerning driving related deaths, periodically watching stories of those affected by these fatalities, and being able to witness unsafe drivers firsthand has had a profound effect on my safe driving skills and my focus on the road. If these reminders work for me, they are bound to work for many other people. Thus, I can spread awareness about the epidemic of distracted driving and driving deaths to hopefully influence others to become much more safe drivers. The stories of those affected and the facts concerning this issue can be shown to my friends and family to make a dent in this massive problem.

Informing drivers of the facts and data concerning vehicle related fatalities is extremely important in reducing the number of deaths relating to driving. Steps also need to be taken to make a change on this issue, some of which can be taken by you and me.