The Dangers of Driving – In the Driver’s Seat

There were over 200 million drivers on the road in 2022. Many teenagers are ecstatic to get their driver’s license and be on the road. They are ready to drive to school, practice, and to their friend’s house. Their parents, however, are not so excited. This is for good reason. In 2020, for every 100,000 people, there are over 36,000 casualties caused by motor vehicle crashes. That is a 36% casualty rate. That percentage is high, and needs to come down. With more individuals on the road, that casualty rate will go up.

An important step in reducing fatalities from motor vehicle crashes is drivers’ education. The reasoning for drivers’ education is to teach individuals how to be safe and responsible on the road. It makes the driver more aware of factors that may be unsafe and how to overcome them with confidence. By being aware of the rules of the road and taking the course, fatalities decrease significantly. The course promotes safety and hazard awareness in young drivers who may not be experienced behind the wheel. Young drivers who have not completed a drivers’ education are 24% more likely to be involved in a fatal or injury accident. By taking a drivers’ education course, drivers are more understanding of the hazards on the road and are able to avoid dangerous situations.

There are numerous steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. One step is to make periodic drivers’ tests mandatory. Many drivers on the road that have cognitive impairment. Dementia, which includes the presence of memory loss and a decline in at least one other cognitive domain. Many of these drivers have yet to be diagnosed, or refuse to stop driving. Because of this impairment, they are unable to drive safely. It can also cause worry and stress for the loved ones and can put themselves and others at risk of injury. Making drivers’ tests mandatory every few years can offset this danger. Another step to reduce the number of motor vehicle related deaths is to be stricter when enforcing road laws. Making violations such as driving under the influence, speeding, recklessness, and failure to wear seatbelts must be enforced more heavily. This allows for drivers to respect the rules of the road and follow safer road practices, thus minimizing the risk for casualties.

In 2021, I was in a car accident. I was driving to school at 8:00 AM and was not even a mile away from my house. A big black SUV failed to stop at a stop sign and crashed head-on into the side of my dad’s classic truck. It spun the truck completely the other way and left it unable to move. The SUV moved out of the road. My brother was also in the vehicle with me. Luckily, neither one of us were hurt. The truck was totaled and sent to a salvage yard and the SUV was fixed and is back on the road. The accident was caused by the driver of the SUV not paying attention while having children in the backseat. If my brother and I were in a newer car that was not as heavily built as the truck, we would have been injured. The driver not only put themselves and us at risk, but their children as well. Carelessness in that instance caused a car accident that could have been worse. It could have been entirely prevented if driving was taken more seriously.

I can take several steps to be a better and safer driver as well as help others become safer on the road. I can be more attentive when I am driving. I can use both hands on the wheel and drive only when I feel awake enough. When I am tired, I need to not drive. I can follow traffic laws and drive the speed limit. I can encourage my friends to not drive when inebriated, not to text and drive, and to drive carefully. As a driver, it is my duty to adhere to the laws of the road. They are there for a reason and to minimize harm. If more individuals can influence one another in a positive way, then the roads will be safer for everyone of all ages.

Taking a drivers’ education course can not only benefit the driver, but the other individuals around them. It drastically decreases the chances of a fatality caused by a motor accident. There can also be steps taken to reduce the number of deaths such as periodic drivers’ tests and stricter law enforcement. As somebody who has been in a car accident, I have been able to witness the effects of careless driving, which is all too often. I have learned steps that have made me a better and safer driver and have influenced my friends to be safer on the road.