Education and Focus Saves Lives

Chloe
Harwood

Education and Focus Save Lives

Drivers ed is crucial in
order to reduce the number of deaths on the roads. When drivers are
educated on the rules of driving, they are more aware of the impact
it has on their life and the lives around them. When you consider all
of the implications and complications of driving, it is one of the
more difficult and more dangerous activities that people do on a
regular basis. Before someone gets behind the wheel, they should be
made aware of the dangers they will encounter while driving.

There must be something done
in order to reduce the number of driving related deaths. Simple
things such as encouraging people to do a quick safety check of
mirror and seat placement can reduce the number of distractions that
lead to accidents. A necessary step would be to always have the
seatbelt correctly fastened.
One of
the most important things you can do as a driver is to focus. To
achieve a better focus, eliminate distractions by turning the music
down, turning the phone off, and thinking about the importance of the
task at hand. By teaching drivers ed in a more engaging
matter, we can reduce the number of deaths. The use of driving
simulators could provide experience without implementing danger.
Driving simulators can reduce both the cost of drivers ed
and the danger of it, while providing more challenging and relevant
driving experience. Insurance companies should help fund the cost of
the simulators as it would reduce the number of accidents
considerably.

I
have had two experiences that have changed my view on driving
forever. Around this time last year, my friends were involved in a
motor vehicle accident. We went out to eat that night, but instead of
spending time with them after, I asked them to drop me off at home.
Moments after, I got a phone call that my friends had been in a
collision. My heart sank and I was in shock at how easily I could
have been involved. Thankfully, my friends did not have any major
physical injuries, but they were affected mentally forever because
the motorcyclist that was involved lost his life that day. Although I
was not in the car accident, I felt the effects from the perspective
of both parties. Seeing someone die from something that could easily
be prevented changes you.

The
other experience taught me just how important seatbelts are. While
doing a clinical rotation with my local ambulance service, we ran a
call on a car accident. When we arrived on scene, the woman was
taking her last few breaths. She had run off the road without her
seatbelt on. If she had been wearing it, she would likely have
escaped with only minor injuries. Seatbelts save lives.

It
should not take a tragic driving experience to teach us to be safe
drivers. By educating and making drivers aware of the possibilities
when behind the wheel, we can reduce the number of lives lost.