Take the Initiative

In the United States, over five million car accidents are reported to the police each year. That is about one accident every six minutes! At some point in your life, you, or someone you know will be impacted by a car accident. There is always a risk on the roads. Thankfully, driver education instructors are dedicated to coaching students in the basics of the laws of driving as well as driver safety. Since many dangerous situations can all too easily form on the road, drivers must learn the importance of driver safety and precautions to take, to save themselves from becoming a victim of a traumatic car accident.

It is the responsibility of the drivers ed organization to diligently instruct young drivers on proper road etiquette, as well as safety on the roads. It is a great responsibility. To prevent accidents on the road, driver education explains to students how to drive defensively. What does that mean? Assuming that other drivers will place you at risk, defensive driving is the act of analyzing the risk of dangers while you are driving. As is also necessary, driver education indulges drivers of what actions are to be taken in an emergency, such as brakes failing or a car breakdown, and the lawful responsibility of a driver who has experienced a collision on the road. Ultimately, it prepares drivers to be calm and in control, no matter the circumstance. Not only are students taught what to do, but also the reasoning behind the action, which therefore, produces smart drivers. The importance of driver education cannot be stressed enough.

Although driver education has made a tremendous impact on driver safety, an average of thirty-four thousand deaths occur each year, as a result of car accidents in the U.S. More action must be taken. Unfortunately, the most common producer of car accidents in America is a result of drug and alcohol abuse. Other common causes comprise of distracted driving, which is the leading cause of accidents in the U.S. each year, as well as reckless driving. Resulting not only from texting and driving, distracted driving is also caused by listening to music too loud, talking to passengers, and eating while driving. Drivers must be made aware of the dangers of these seemingly inconsequential distractions. Over fifty-six percent of fatal accidents have been reported as the result of reckless driving. Not only in our homes, but also in our schools, we must teach young drivers to have patience, integrity, and the value of human life, so as not to drive recklessly in the future. It is essential for drivers to understand the dangers and consequences of driving.

When we continually practice certain safety precautions, we will become much more prudent drivers. Surprisingly, twenty-one percent of fatalities on the road are caused by drowsy driving. Seventy-five percent of drivers who realized they were drowsy decided they did not wish to take a break, and therefore, continued down the road. When a driver begins to feel tired, it is crucial to both their own and other drivers’ well-being, to pull over and rest for a while, to regain their strength and energy. In 2022, twenty-nine percent of fatalities on the road were a result of speeding. Quite often, driving too rapidly down a road with less-than-ideal conditions is a large factor when it comes to speeding accidents. One precaution to take is to give yourself plenty of time to travel to a certain destination. When traffic interferes, you now have extra time and have no reason to feel rushed. Shockingly, over the last seven years there have been two hundred eighteen murders and twelve thousand six hundred ten injuries resulting from road rage. Including erratic lane changes and tailgating, road rage and aggressive driving enhances the risk of dangers on the road. Drivers must learn patience on the road and if they are feeling enraged, pull off the road and take a minute to calm down. Taking precautions while driving will save hundreds of lives.

While I have not personally witnessed a car accident, I have observed the results. Unfortunately, one of my extended family members as well as some friends of mine have been impacted and have suffered injuries from car accidents. More people must be made aware of the importance of driver education and to take such instruction seriously. It might just save a life. Teaching not only the laws related to driving, but also the precautions to observe, citizens must be informed of the dangers of driving and know how to reduce the risk of suffering a heartbreaking accident. The most significant precaution to take is the understanding of the consequences of driving recklessly and not driving defensively. Let us take the initiative and reduce the horrible danger of car accidents in America.