The Importance of Driver Safety

Minimum 750 words

Questions to be answered in your Essay/Application

What is the importance of driver education in reducing the number deaths as a result of driving?

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

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

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

Deadline: November 30th

According to the National Highway Traffic Administration, car accidents happen every 60 seconds. That equates to about 5.25 million accidents across the nation on a yearly basis. Adding to these sobering facts, approximately 38,000 people die each year from car accidents.

Driving though is one of those things that have become a fundamental part of our society. Most people require a car to survive. Everything from work to social gatherings is often a great distance away. Driving is a special privilege given to our current technologically advanced world. In the olden days, there were very few options provided as a means of transportation. Great power though requires great responsibility.

Every member of my family has been impacted by irresponsible drivers. My dad needed back surgery and was involved in a lengthy lawsuit because of a reckless driver. The emotional and financial strain from that lawsuit was very painful for our family.

I’ve been rear-ended previously and it’s not a fun experience. Honestly the worst side effect was the fear and anxiety associated with the accident. The other driver was drunk and completely underestimated his braking. People deserve to feel safe while driving.

Driver education is crucial for safe driving. The best kind of education teaches how to prevent and avoid damage. Preventative measures include things like driving the speed limit, using blinkers, turning properly and obeying the laws of the road. Whereas avoidance damage is teaching how to react quickly and assertively in difficult and dangerous situations.

We can’t always control when a random deer or drunk driver is lurking on the road. But learning how to brake quickly or swerve lanes will sometimes give you the best possible chance. It usually comes down to driving with the intention of being safe.

In the army, soldiers practice and perform drills for actions performed in the heat of the moment. They will practice a hundred times how to handle a loaded grenade before handling one. This practice ensures they will be calm and collected in the chaos of the moment. For examine, my mom was completely catch off guard by a random deer jumping in front of our car. Instead of breaking, she overcorrected and almost hit a tree.

I think one of the first things we need to do is improve our driver training. My driving test was less than 10 minutes long. I only had to do a 3 point turn and do a few basic maneuvers. Looking back,, I learned how to defensively drive by watching my family and friends drive.

I see a future where virtual reality will be an established and basic form of driver certification. Participants will drive to the DMV and be required to take an on-site driving test and a virtual reality one. The VR will give the driver spontaneous situations where they have seconds to act and prevent a possible accident. This will let people know the knowledge and assertiveness required to stay safe on the road.

Safe driving is often difficult to master because of the emotional backbone needed. Life is full of slow drivers, people who cut you off and tailgating. We can’t control what happens to us, only the outcome. I’ve seen people rage drive, honk aggressively, brake check and try to cause accidents. In addition to various driving tests, I think an emotional test would work wonders.

I served a mission for my church for 2 years. To ensure our safety, we had these tiny machines installed on our dashboard. They monitored our speed and gave feedback as we drove. It would monitor our speed, turns, brakes and any sudden movements. If we received too many corrections, our driving privileges would be taken away. I personally think that some people need these machines installed in their car.

If someone is prone to causing accidents, they should be required by law to get one of these “driving feedback” devices. Driving is a privilege that helps us experience more of the beauty in this life. That privilege though should be taken away for any malicious or dangerous behavior.

I can personally do my best in protecting our streets by being the best driver possible. I can’t expect something I’m not willing to give. Sometimes that means reporting bad behavior because you love someone.

In summary, I believe the average person wants to be a safe and responsible driver. Negative emotions, distractions and improper driving skills often cause accidents. I believe that implementing an additional VR driving and emotional test would substantially improve the safety of our roads.