A Dangerous Reality: The Importance of Being a Safe Driver

Katie Nguyen

11/30/2020

A Dangerous Reality: The Importance of Being a Safe Driver

Approximately 1.35 million people die in car accidents annually, with tens of millions

more becoming injured and facing long-term health issues. So as much as we think there is a low chance of a crash happening to us, the dangerous reality is that car accidents are a common occurrence.

However, while we cannot exactly control how other drivers on the road behave, it is undeniable that having a proper driver’s education can help prevent dangerous wrecks. Driver’s ed is especially important for young teenagers who are first learning how to operate an automobile, giving them the opportunity to fully comprehend the dangers associated with cars. Formal instruction teaches all new drivers what each sign and marking on the street means, as well as how to properly handle the multitude of parts that help a vehicle move, from the gearstick to the gas pedal. With traffic accidents being the #1 killer of teenagers, it is crucial more than ever to follow the rules of the road and drive with safety in mind at all times. Furthermore, when someone takes a driver’s education course, not only are they gaining knowledge, but everyone else driving on the same paths as them benefits.

Of course, having a formal education in driving is merely one step to reducing fatalities on the road. Beyond driver’s ed, there are several key things everyone should strive to practice each time they get into their vehicle. Traffic laws, including speed limits, should always be obeyed. People should have their cars regularly checked in case control issues arise in the future. Never text while driving. Lastly, do not drive while under the influence or poorly rested. Though the former part is obvious, it is equally important to not operate an automobile with little sleep.

As a high school student balancing hours of work and extracurriculars, it’s easy to want to stay up all night. However, this drowsy driving is just as detrimental as drunk driving. Before getting into the car, it is important to be wide awake, with a full awareness of one’s surroundings.

After all, many of the car accidents I’ve been involved in (and yes, I have unfortunately experienced more than one) were the result of someone losing focus on the road ahead of them. One of them occurred during my simple daily routine of going to school. My brother and I were less than two minutes away from our destination when we were rear-ended severely—and by one of my brother’s classmates, no less. It turned out that not only had my brother’s classmate had little sleep the night before, but he decided to respond to a text “quickly” as his truck came to a stop. Luckily, although our cars didn’t make it out intact, none of us were injured.

But this is not the case for millions around the world. Every day, thousands are involved in fatal road accidents that turn numerous people’s lives upside down. Driver’s education is a mandate for getting a driver’s license in California, where I reside, but I would stress learners in other states or countries to consider taking a formally approved course in driving. For both myself and others, I also would encourage little (but simultaneously big) things like putting your phone away while driving, or opting to take a rideshare service if you know you might drink. Hopefully, such steps will allow us to take the 1.35 million and reduce it little by little.