Consequences of Unsafe Driving

Consequences
of Unsafe Driving

A
car is a weapon; without being safely operated, a car can kill or
harm someone. Speeding and other unsafe habits, such as distracted
driving, while driving a vehicle cannot only cause an accident, but
can cause serious legal trouble or, worse, loss of life. Driver
education helps to emphasize the dangers of bad driving habits so
less people partake in unsafe practices.

When
someone is speeding the car is going at a dangerous speed for the
conditions, making controlling the car difficult. A mixture of
speeding and inattentiveness could result in a car accident, harming
or killing the driver, passengers, or people in another vehicle.
Braking and coming to a stop is more difficult when the car is at a
high speed, making rear-ending someone or otherwise harming someone
more likely. Speeding, distracted driving, and accidents go hand and
hand. It puts not only the driver’s life at risk but the lives of
others.

As
I prepared to get my driver’s license, I took a driver’s
education and defensive driving class along with driving lessons.
This experience was immeasurable in terms of helping to me to
understand the hazards of the road and to understand that even as a
safe driver myself, I have to be aware of others who may be speeding,
distracted, or displaying other reckless behaviors behind the wheel.
The class provided many great tips for safe driving and emphasized
the consequences of bad driving habits. Some of the lessons in the
training included real world examples of bad accidents and even
deaths that occurred as a result of dangerous driving habits.

I
have been fortunate enough to not have been involved in an accident.
And even more so, I have been blessed that none of my immediate
family members have been in major car accidents. However, I will
never forget the day my mother came home shaken by an accident scene
she had passed in which the bloodied bodies of the accident victims
were visible by passersby and onlookers. While these people were
complete strangers to our family, the pain we all felt at my mom
coming so close to such a devastating scene was palpable.
Unfortunately, far too many people in the state of South Carolina and
across the US die each year due to roadway accidents and many more
are injured or experience life changing events.

In
addition to loss of life, accidents bring financial costs as well as
serious legal
consequences. Tickets
pile up, payments have to be made, and a suspended license can also
be a result. With a suspended license, transportation options are
limited, impacting the ability to get to work, school, or other
events. Bottom line unsafe driving habits are not worth the costly,
and sometimes deadly, short and long-term consequences.

The
more people abide by road laws, the safer transportation and our
streets, in general, could be. Driving rules are established and
enforced to help maintain the safety of all of those who use the
roads including drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians; and it is vitally
important that more drivers participate in drivers ed
courses to ensure we can all stay safe on the roads.