Defensive Driving Courses Saves Lives

Defensive
Driving Scholarship

Duane
Owens

4/1/2020

Essay
Questions: What is the importance of drivers ed in reducing the
number deaths as a result of driving?

• What
  steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to
  driving?

• What
  steps can you take to be a better and safer driver as well ad help
  others become safer on the road?

• Have
  you ever had an experience of being in an car accident or have seen
  your friends or family members driving irresponsibily?

Did
you know that according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety
and Motor Vehicles, graduates from a teen defensive driving school
possessed cumulative crash rates 77 percent lower than the general 15
to 19 year old population? On the other hand, safe defensive driving
means driving with a predictable mind especially when making sharp
turns, driving in adverse weather conditions, or when making smart
decisions on the road with other drivers. Drivers ed is needed
to raise the awareness of safe driving so that drivers could become
better prepared for predictable weather patterns, maintain a safe
driving record, and for drivers to combat the national problem of
distracted driving.

To
start off with, defensive driving classes installs current driver’s
the ability to have a safe driving record. Aggressive drivers
constantly break the speed limits, weave in and out of lanes, and
often tailgate other drivers, leading to possible intentional car
crashes. Defensive drivers abide by the speed limits and follow
all traffic signs and signals by diligently checking blind spots,
leaving space for others to pass, and using their signal when turning
or changing lanes. They do not assume that another drive is going to
move out of the way or allow them to move. The Federal Highway
Administration also reports that out of nearly six million vehicular
crashes that occur every year in the U.S. about 22 percent are
weather-related. When there is severe weather, oils from motor
vehicles cause the road to become slippery. Common prevention
techniques that could be helpful during severe weather include being
aware of reaction distance, knowing your vehicle’s stopping distance,
and knowing the right of way. The National Institute to Health
showed that 88% of patients who died at the scene of an accident or
were transported to the hospital were within 10 miles of their home
when the accident happened. Even in familiar neighborhoods, safe
drivers tend to feel relaxed and break the rules.

Defensive
driving courses teaches students to avoid dangers and teach them how
to handle different situations on the road. When you are driving it
is not only your safety that you are concerned about, but the safety
of other drivers on the road and your passengers in your car.
Defensive driving courses would not allow regard the safety of the
driving, but will go over critical driving laws. Driving at higher
speeds makes controlling your vehicle much more difficult in worst
case scenarios. According to the state of California statutes, the
use of electronic wireless devices are prohibited. There is a $162
fine for the first offense, and a $285 fine for the second offense.
For reckless driving, greater fines and jail time are imposed. Even
unnoticed parts such as the brakes or headlights could cause dangers
on the road. To change this action, you should visit a certified
mechanic to have your brakes changes when they are getting worn out.
Once a month, you should also check to make sure that all of your
headlights, brake lights, and signal lights are working. No one
would like to drive especially in dark or foggy settings, without fog
lights or high beam lights.

Furthermore,
drivers ed seeks to curb the nationwide issue of distracted
driving. In a defensive driving course, you also study the state’s
limits to blood alcohol limits, how motor skills and senses are
affected by drugs, and the consequences of being found guilty of
driving under the influence. This allows you to become a proactive
and informed driver. Distracted driving is any activity that diverts
the driver’s attention from driving. This can include socializing
with other passengers, sending messages on the phone, sleeping,
eating or drinking. If you are very tired, you should try pulling
over to the closest stop to rest, or not even drive at all since
sleeping on the wheel would risk your life. For instance, a year ago,
I was saddened about how one of my friends crushed their bones after
being in a devastating driving incident in stormy conditions. I
recalled the words he told me while he was in the emergency room “For
the first twenty minutes, I simply sat. It did not occur to me to
make any texts or get out of the car. At this point, the world sat
still and all I was observing was gusts of wind with lightning
strikes. Looking around, there was a smashed airbag crushed into my
arms, the steering wheel toward the angle of my belly, all sorts of
debris from the motor engine. The place looked as if it was a
warzone. I thought my life was over”. From that point, I started to
convince my friend by joining campaigns and educational programs to
bring collective change about defensive driving. For example, my
friend could become involved in Drop It and Drive, which is a group
that aims to stop distracted driving by showing the extreme dangers
of driving through simulators.

Conclusively,
in defensive driving classes, students learn to improve their driving
skills by reducing possible driving risks by making well-informed
decisions. Over time as you drive, you gain knowledge and become
more confident, which would prevent accidents from happening. Not
only defensive driving enables safe drivers to make smart decisions,
but it could also save hundreds of dollars and the lives of many
youths. Hence, defensive driving would give families and students a
sense of relaxation and accomplishment.