The Necessity of Safe Driving

Kayli Pham

The worst tragedy of numerous car accident deaths is the fact that they were so easily preventable. If one aspect, even a seemingly insignificant one, had been shifted, then the result might have been different. How can we fix this tragedy? It begins with an understanding of the power one holds behind the wheel. A driver holds responsibility for not only their own life, but also the lives of passengers, other drivers, and bystanders. To be given this control is not an idea to be taken lightly; that is why driver education is so necessary. Driver education teaches the importance of attentiveness on the road. An educated driver holds knowledge and experience that keeps roads safer. Education allows a driver to instinctively avoid dangerous situations, thus preventing high numbers of car accidents. Consequently, fewer car accidents leads to fewer deaths as a result of driving. Driver education is incredibly essential in creating a safe environment for our society and our future.

In order to reduce the numbers of deaths related to driving, drivers must understand the weight of their actions behind the wheel. Through driver education, we can push the understanding of consequences. The statistics in themselves are enough to aid in this effort: death tolls higher than casualties of war is a fact that can change an entire perspective. In our society, war is considered as incredibly brutal, and it is no secret that it often results in hundreds, even thousands, of deaths. Highway fatalities having higher death rates than war show that it truly is a horrific, painful tragedy; it is an issue that can be easily solved, if one is willing to put in the effort. What makes the difference is that while the amount of death in war is in the hands of a select few, the death toll due to driving accidents can be changed by any single person. Driver education can help new drivers understand that it is in their power to be able to prevent the loss of a life: whether it be a parent, child, or loved one. These sentiments would greatly encourage safe driving, because no driver would want to be at fault for such a tragedy, and every driver would want to do their part in, essentially, saving the lives of others.

While I have never been in a car accident, I am no stranger to its effects. On one specific morning last year, I remember learning that a boy from my school had passed away the night before in a car crash. A few months later, a group of girls, from a nearby district, had also lost their lives due to an accident. The boy was a year older than me; the girls were a year younger. I saw information spread, not through local news, but through social media as family and friends came together in grief and mourning. I saw the effect that reckless driving can have on the people we love. I realized that either one of those car crashes, among many others, could have been me. No child deserves to have their life taken away so soon, regardless of the circumstances behind the crash. No parent deserves to go through the pain of losing a child. In those moments, I understood, more than ever, the necessity of responsible driving.

Personally, I can become a better, safer driver by putting in more effort in being aware of my surroundings. I usually have my phone close by, so I can improve by setting it further away from me and using the “Do Not Disturb While Driving” setting. I can work to take more notice of the cars in front, behind, and next to me while on the road. The more aware I am of my surroundings while driving, the quicker my reflexes will be in the case of an emergency. In terms of helping others become safer on the road, I can encourage drivers to remain focused by acting as a mediator between them and their distractions. If a phone goes off, it would be my responsibility as a passenger to make sure that anything that requires immediate response by the driver is dealt with safely, but the phone does not reach the driver’s hand. This could mean responding to a text, taking a phone call, or simply letting the driver know what happened. I can keep the driver awake and focused by making conversation and reminding them to take breaks when necessary. Additionally, I can ensure that the trip is safest for everyone involved by also being aware of the surroundings, and being prepared to notify the driver of anything they might mistakenly miss. It is my hope that through these tips, any driver, including myself, can become safer on the road.