What is it Worth?

We all remember the day we got our driver’s license! Ah, the freedom. I can do whatever I want now. What were you thinking when you hopped in your car for that first drive alone? Was it that I could drive 60mph blaring my music with no one around, or did you think about the many people who die every day while driving? It should be no surprise that driving is dangerous, but not everyone remembers that when they go with their impulses. Therefore, let me be the one to remind you why driving is dangerous, what part drivers can play in the safety of driving, what steps we can take to be safer, and what my personal/family experiences with driving are. That being said, let’s jump on in!

Before all else, we need to discuss why driving is so dangerous. Driving is naturally a dangerous thing due to a combination of factors that increase the everyday risk of accidents. One of the primary reasons driving is so dangerous is human error, which can include many distractions such as texting, talking on the phone, eating, adjusting the radio while driving, etc. Fatigue and impaired judgment due to drinking alcohol or drug use of any sort also have a very significant effect on the increased risk of accidents. In addition to human error, external conditions such as inclement weather, poor road maintenance, and heavy traffic congestion can also create hazardous driving conditions. The high speeds at which vehicles travel mean that even the smallest mistake could lead to terrible consequences, such as accidents that cause severe injuries and even death. Another risk is mechanical failures, such as brake malfunctions or tire blowouts. These add another layer of risks, as do the unpredictable behaviors of other drivers, who may be aggressive, inattentive, or inexperienced. Additionally, the complexity of modern vehicles, with their advanced technology and systems, can sometimes overwhelm drivers, leading to confusion and errors. All of these factors combined make driving a dangerous activity and require patience, skill, and caution.

Next, we are going to look at what part driver’s education can play in increasing the safety of driving and helping to address the issues we discussed above. Driver’s education plays a very important role in enhancing the safety of driving by equipping new drivers with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the roads. Driver’s education uses comprehensive training programs to teach new drivers about traffic laws, road signs, and the rules of the road, thus helping reduce violations and accidents. Driver’s education also emphasizes the importance of defensive driving techniques, teaching students how to anticipate and react to potential hazards. Practical driving sessions provide hands-on experience, allowing students to develop confidence and proficiency behind the wheel under the supervision of experienced instructors. In addition, driver’s education often includes modules on the dangers of impaired and distracted driving, reinforcing the significance of maintaining focus and sobriety while on the road. By instilling these critical lessons, driver’s education significantly contributes to creating safer drivers and reducing the risk of accidents. Without the driver’s education that I took, I would have never known about all the different rules or the steps I could take to be safer for myself and the drivers around me.

Driver education can play many parts in teaching young drivers how to be safe, but sometimes we forget this so let’s discuss how we can be safer drivers. Becoming a safe driver involves a few essential steps. First and foremost, undergoing comprehensive driver’s education is crucial. This training provides new drivers with the necessary knowledge about traffic laws, road signs, and road rules, which are fundamental in reducing violations and accidents. In addition to that, practicing defensive driving techniques is so important. These techniques can help drivers anticipate and respond to potential hazards, thus making our roads safer for everyone around us. It’s equally important to avoid impaired and distracted driving, staying focused and sober behind the wheel is crucial for maintaining control and making quick decisions. Regular vehicle maintenance is another important step, ensuring that your car is in good working condition and less likely to fail unexpectedly. Finally, always wearing a seat belt as well as encouraging all of your passengers to do the same can prevent injuries in the case of an accident. By combining these couple of steps, we can significantly enhance our driving safety and contribute to a safer driving environment for ourselves and the drivers around us.

I have now discussed why driving is dangerous, what part drivers can play in driving, and what we can do to be safer drivers. With this information now in our heads, I am going to talk about an experience that my own family had with driving. In December of 2022, it was a Saturday night, and it was very icy. My cousin had been out with his friends drinking so he was impaired. He didn’t have a ride home, so he decided that he would drive himself home, which we all know is not a great idea after drinking. Due to being impaired while driving he was not being careful on the ice, and he drove over a very icy bridge. This bridge was icy enough that it caused him to lose control, spin a couple of times, and roll into a telephone pole. He was still conscious after the accident, so he was able to call his parents, but he did not want to call the cops. Obviously, because he did not want a DUI. His parents told him that it was not an option, and they called the cops for him. Once the cops and paramedics arrived at the scene, they told him that if he had hit the pole any other way, he would have been dead. Hearing this news hit all of my family hard and made us realize that we need to be more careful when driving. This story of my cousin goes to show that if we are impaired when we are when we are driving, we truly cannot pay the same amount of attention that we can pay when we are not impaired. My cousin received a DUI for driving under the influence of alcohol and he learned from this DUI and almost dying that it is better to find a driver, than to lose his life because he decided to drive on ice while impaired.

To sum this up, we have learned how dangerous driving truly can be. Becoming a safer driver requires a combination of education, practice, and responsibility. Driver education gives our new drivers the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate our roads safely. Practicing defensive driving techniques helps in anticipating and responding to potential hazards while avoiding impaired and distracted driving makes certain that our focus remains on the road. Regular vehicle maintenance and the consistent use of seatbelts further add to our safety. By focusing on these practices, and learning from the stories of others, we not only protect ourselves, but we also contribute to the overall safety of everyone on the road. By sticking to these steps, we can make a huge impact in reducing the number of accidents and creating a safer driving environment for ourselves and everyone else.