Diving safety: behind the wheel

Mikayla Faber

Drivers Education Scholarship

October 14, 2020

Driving Safety: Behind the Wheel

Getting your driver’s license, I super exciting, but knowing the safety protocols while behind the wheel is important. So, what is the importance of drivers’ education in reducing the number of deaths related to driving? Knowing your states driving laws is super important to be educated on and to follow in order to reduce the amount of deaths and accidents related to driving. One way of taking this education to the road is being aware of what is going on around you and knowing what to do if certain situations were to occur is super important in preventing accidents.

The first step to be taken to reduce the number of driving related deaths is knowing your state and nations driving laws. This means knowing what each road sign means and what to do when you see them, knowing how to properly merge, knowing what to do at a four way stop, and what to do in any circumstance. According to The Zebra, distracted driving was the reported cause of death of 3,450 people in 2016 and in 2019, distracted driving was a reported factor in 8.5% of fatal motor vehicle accidents[Tay20]. So, the second step that society needs to take in order to limit the deaths related to car accidents is ending distracted driving. This means no texting while driving, no alcohol, no phone use, eating while driving, and anything that can cause a distraction and take your attention off the road.

I personally have been a part of a car accident related to distracted driving. My aunt was on her phone on the freeway and dropped her phone. Her first mistake was being on her phone while driving and creating a distraction. Then she dropped her phone under her seat and went reaching for it; next thing you know, my cousin screams “MOM!”. My aunt slams on her breaks and hits the car in front of her. There were 4 kids in the car. Luckily, no one was hurt, but to this day, that is the only car accident I have been in and the reason I vow not to drive distracted.

Now… I am not a perfect driver but there are steps I can personally take to improve. The first one being not driving while I am tired. This will reduce the risk of falling asleep at the wheel or being drowsy. Next, I can stop eating while driving. There are mornings where I stop at the coffee stand or McDonalds to get a snack, which is completely okay, but I can add 10 minutes to my trip to park and eat my food to reduce the risk of driving distracted.