Name: Katie Lo
From: Santa Barbara, California
Votes: 0
Steering Toward Responsibility
2,220 minutes of your life is dedicated to acquiring a driver’s license. Yet, 1 minute of reckless driving can take away an individual’s life. In 2022, about 3,308 people were killed in an accident involving cell phone usage. For years, distracted driving has been one of the leading causes of death. Although it explicitly states in the Driver’s Handbook to “not text while driving”, many drivers disregard the rule. Why? This is due to our reliance on cell phones. The increasingly short attention span of drivers causes them to “quickly” glance at their phone screens. These “quick glances” can endanger another driver’s life and possibly a family.
Demonstrating your knowledge of safe driving and education can save a person’s life.
Driver’s education plays an important role in safe driving. By understanding the significance of rules and consequences of unsafe driving, people are more inclined to be cautious while driving. Completing a driver’s education program will reinforce responsible habits in future drivers, ultimately reducing the number of driving-related deaths. In addition to education, the inclusion of more enforcement and the spread of awareness can be taken to minimize driving fatalities. With the addition of speed checks and police cars sanctioned on big streets, drivers tend to be more attentive to avoid the risk of receiving a ticket. Moreover, initiating campaigns to spread awareness about the consequences of drunk and/or distracted driving may influence people’s behaviors. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, traffic casualties increased 7.6% from 2020 to 2021. To put into perspective, if about 100 individuals died from traffic fatalities in 2020, the number of deaths would increase to 108 in 2021. However, not many drivers know that. By holding campaigns on the side of the street or on social media, more people will understand that their driving will impact another’s life, encouraging cautious driving practices. Make the 2,220 minutes spent towards a license worth it by taking advantage of driver’s education.
In 2013, 3,154 people were killed due to unsafe driving. Unfortunately, my father was one of them. A family of three became a family of two. Ever since September 2013, my life has been impacted by the loss of my father. It was a moment engraved in my mind but my emotions were shrouded in a haze of memories. I was about six years old at that time, not having much awareness of the situation. As I grew older, the vivid memories started to develop. I recall arriving at my cousin’s house with my mom when she received a phone call from the hospital; one that every person dreaded. To this day, I still wonder, “How would my life be different if distracted driving was never a thing?”…“Would this have happened if my mom and I were with my dad?”. These memories became a reminder to practice safe and educated driving. Safe driving goes beyond keeping your eyes on the road. It includes spreading awareness from one driver to another, recognizing potential dangers, understanding the impact of distracted driving on pedestrians and fellow drivers, and much more. Ultimately, it was a struggle for my family to adapt to these changes. My mom worked endlessly all day to support the family while also attending court. While coping with the loss of a loved one, the financial strain did not make it easier. Hospital bills stacked on top of one another, adding to the weight during the difficult time. Not only did my father’s death take a financial toll on us but also mentally. The loss of my father left a void no one else could fill, a void of emptiness and sadness. People never practice what they preach until they are personally affected by the event.
To become a better and safer driver, one must implement numerous measures. As a driver myself, it is important to enforce seatbelts on every passenger, including myself. Although seatbelts cannot completely prevent an individual from a fatal crash, they will reduce the risk of injuries. Furthermore, it is crucial to recognize the conditions you are driving in. For instance, on a slippery road, one must slow down to gain control over the car. Demonstrating a good example to peers can reinforce the idea of safe and educated driving. With the goal of promoting safe driving, educating myself and sharing my knowledge with others can help
develop a cautious driver. Actions such as sharing a touching story or articles will prompt people to be mindful of others.
The journey to become a safer and more educated driver starts with a driver’s education. Taking in and practicing all of the information provided will decrease the risk of casualties on the road. Through the practice of attentiveness and adherence to the speed limit, a driver can save a life. One can also inform others about the dangers of distracted driving, ultimately creating a safer driving environment. As a community, we can reduce the number of deaths from dangerous driving one step at a time.
