Better Regulations for Safer Driving

And just like that. One mistake or distraction behind the wheel ends up in injury and death for you, your loved ones, and strangers across from your car who were unfortunate to be part of the incident. Driving is a necessary skill and tool to have in the United States. Without it, it would be difficult to get to your destination every day. Especially if you are the type of person to be on the run every day with work and chores. However, it is also a luxury. Having a car is such a good freedom because you finally are responsible for driving yourself where your heart wants to go. For me, I often went to the store for goodies and food. Although driving freely feels great, in some cases, you could end up being a victim or the person liable for reckless driving. Safety should always be a top priority when you step into a vehicle. It all should start with how the United States manages the tests required for obtaining a new driver’s license. It is very easy to get a driver’s license. The process of getting a license has become so simple that it almost feels like memorizing the answers without understanding the rules provided in the handbook is convenient. I believe that stricter questions and hands-on testing should be provided in drivers tests across the country. This includes rigorous and much more comprehensive driving tests designed to test problem-solving skills for different driving situations. Tests should also challenge new drivers about different laws and regulations for each state. This stricter testing management could be beneficial in enforcing better road safety and training drivers to be more knowledgeable about the road conditions they will go through. Thus, safer trips! The ability to earn a driver’s license in the United States is easier than in Europe, according to some sources, Europe’s road laws and standardized testing are considered much harder due to the challenging questions asked in exams. Not only should we invest in stricter first-time testing, but I believe we should also invest in regular two-year testing follow-up in which drivers should be tested on what they should remember before continuing on the road. This mandate should be greatly pushed more for drivers of older age and for those who have physical and mental illnesses. According to a CDC report about adult drivers published earlier this year, about 9,100 car accident deaths among older ages 70 and older were reported just in 2022. The decreased function in the ability to reason and to remember is one of the main culprits for increased car accidents among people in those age groups. I believe that having tests every two years or so after earning a driver’s license should be mandatory to prevent reckless driving. Those who fail to pass the test should be limited to a few hours of driving and should be recommended to review the rules and regulations and should at least wait a few months to test again. However, the drawback of re-testing is a main concern due to the cost it would take to test thousands every two years, and of course, major backlash. In the end, All the points I have mentioned are some of the few ideas that could help reduce yearly deaths caused by car accidents. It is important to remember that other factors such as reckless speeding, drunk driving, and phone use while driving are impossible to reduce due to the inability to predict what one is doing behind the wheel. However, I believe that accidents caused by such actions should have harsh consequences in which licenses should be suspended for at least five years or so, or in more severe cases, permanently suspended. The reason why I am so strict about the safety of driving is because back in 2020, I was involved in a car accident that to this day, I am grateful to have survived. My injuries were not severe, but the impact of what I had experienced was traumatic. As well as peers who have unfortunately passed away due to reckless driving in my hometown. I think that driving awareness should be greatly promoted in schools where students are taught and trained to be smart drivers. I believe that it should be mandatory for students in high school and junior high grade levels to be registered in at least a one-hour automotive and driving safety course to promote better driving skills. In conclusion, driving should be a universal opportunity for everyone, but it should also be a skill to work hard for to prevent tragedies from happening every year.