The Risks of Driving

Erin Davis

Driver Education Initiative Award: In the Driver’s Seat

11/1/20

By taking a driver’s education class, you are able to learn important facts and techniques about being a safe driver. You learn about the possible effects and outcomes of a wreck, and what you can do to prevent that from happening. By showcasing the reality of driving, the fact that it can be extremely dangerous if you abuse that privilege, and when you are behind the wheel you are not only responsible for your own life, but your actions can also risk the lives of passengers in your vehicle, other vehicles, and pedestrians, allowing new drivers to make informed and safe decisions while behind the wheel. This has reduced the number of accident related deaths throughout the years.

In order to reduce the number of deaths related to driving, there are many simple steps that you can take. You should stop at stop signs and yield at crosswalks. Even if you don’t think you see any pedestrians, it’s always good to do a quick scan of the area to be safe. Put your children in age appropriate car seats in the back of your vehicle, and if they are babies, always have them rear facing. Always obey the speed limits, and drive cautiously in dangerous weather conditions. Finally, the most important thing that you can do in order to reduce driving related deaths is to eliminate distractions. Every year, thousands of people, especially teens, are involved in accidents. Never text or drink and drive, and don’t blast your music, so that you will be able to hear possible oncoming emergency vehicles. By reducing the number of distractions, you are driving responsibly and also helping to reduce the number of vehicle related deaths.

I have been in a couple accidents while with other family. Thankfully I have never been in a wreck in which someone was seriously injured, but each of these were caused by reckless and irresponsible choices made by other drivers. Running red lights has been a major issue, and this has caused several wrecks and close calls for my personal family. I have heard numerous sad stories from friends and on the news about people who have made bad decisions while driving, and in many cases, that has sadly caused the loss of a life or serious injuries because of these decisions. I only ask that if you do drive, please understand that it is not only your life you are responsible for while your car is in motion, because anything could happen, even if you don’t expect it to.

In order to become a safer and better driver while also encouraging others, I recommend that if anything you ALWAYS obey the basic laws set in place to keep you and other drivers safe, and to even teach your children what safe driving looks like, and the dangers and price of reckless driving.