The Importance of Safe Driving

Pretend you are 16 again. You just got your license and are ready to get on the road. As you turn into the intersection, your music loud and the world your oyster, you fail to pay attention to the traffic ahead of you. As this realization dawns on you, you try to turn out of the way of on-coming traffic, but it is too late. Sadly, this illustration is common among drivers, especially those who are younger. Other reasons these accidents occur are because of distractions, drivers who do not have enough experience on the road or people that drive too fast. Despite there being thousands of motor vehicle accidents a year, there are ways these incidents can be avoided. Some of these steps include, but are not limited to, putting down the phone, looking both ways before turning, and giving yourself enough time to practice driving before allowing yourself on the road.

Living in a digital age has played a significant role in the amount of car-related accidents. As the National Library of Medicine states, “Mobile phone use is one of the most serious driving distractions, and its negative influence on driving performance has been supported by a large body of recent research. Mobile phone use in conjunction with more physical demands, such as using a handheld phone, making a call, and sending a short message, tends to be perceived as riskier.” These distractions continue to plague our population, and do not seem to be slowing down. From personal experience, I have witnessed how being on your phone can cause serious injury. One of my family members crashed their new car by simply responding to a text. We were thankful that nobody else was in the car because they may have not survived. Because this incident occurred with someone I know, I get more frustrated when I see people on their phones when they should be driving.

Driving too fast is another factor that plays into motor vehicle crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveals, “ For more than two decades, speeding has been involved in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities. In 2021, speeding was a contributing factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities.” This should be alarming! When drivers are going this fast, they often do not take into consideration other people on the road. These individuals could be running late or trying to beat the traffic rush, but are not prioritizing their safety. I have, however, noticed there are more bulletin boards and advertisements stressing the importance of driving slower and being aware of those next to you while you’re driving. These are some steps that businesses and organizations have taken to help this issue, but a lot of the initiative needs to begin with the individuals themselves.

The younger generation, including me, is often excited to get their license and begin driving, but should take some more time before they get on the road. Report says in response, “ Some 3,000 teenagers are killed each year in car crashes nationwide, making it the leading cause of death for 13- to 19-year-olds, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Statistics show that teenage drivers, especially young men, are more likely than older age groups to be involved in fatal car collisions.” Parents can help to slow this percent down by not underestimating how much practice their child needs, because the more practice you have, the better. In my own life, I have had my permit for a year and a half before I got my driver’s license. My parent’s reasoning behind this was to ensure that I had plenty of time to drive, and could practice driving in different elements. This experience has benefitted me because I have become more aware of my surroundings and the drivers around me, as well as the speed at which I should be driving.

At the end of the day, safe driving is important. Although there are many ways that these accidents can occur, there are more than plenty of ways to prevent them. As I have listed above, being on your phone and becoming distracted can lead to an increase in car collisions. A good way this distraction can be prevented is by putting your phone in your bag or turning on Do No Disturb. Along with this, reckless driving and speeding result in a large portion of all car-related incidents. We should be giving those who are beginning to drive enough time to practice and become familiar with the road before they are the ones in these car accidents. There are many opportunities to be safe; it is just a matter of making that decision each day.