Drive Smart

Driver education is an infinitely important thing that should be taught no matter what. I remember as a teenager trying to get my license, I had to go through all the driving instructions and learn all the details. When to stop, when to check my mirrors, how to tell if it’s safe to drive. All these things, though they can be boring to learn, are vital if you want to be alone on the road. The road is a dangerous place, and making sure that all the drivers on it have an understanding of the rules and regulations, is extremely important.

Many people die in car accidents. About 1 million people every year die in car accidents. These numbers are staggering. Most of these deaths probably either have to do with drunk driving or texting and driving. I wish there was an easy fix to these issues but the fact is there’s not. The best thing to do about these scenarios is to really express how dangerous these actions can be. Drinking or texting while driving is super dangerous and can get you or someone else killed.

I have never personally been involved in a serious car accident. However, I have been in situations where I was with people that were not driving responsibly and it was quite scary. Driving down a country backroad at night going 90 mph is anything but safe. Another reason car accidents are so common is because of negligent acts such as this. Driving responsibly goes beyond just being sober or off your phone. You need to be actively thinking about what is the smart and safe thing to be doing right now, instead of doing the opposite. We should be driving with care and regards to other drivers on the road at all times.

To be a better driver, I will often keep my phone away from myself so I’m not tempted to grab it and shoot a text out to my friend. Apple has implemented something on the phone that can keep all of your notifications turned off while you are driving. This can seriously take away that urge we often get to check our phone no matter how dangerous it might be. Another thing to do in order to assist with the drunk driving scenarios would be to initiate assisted driving programs around the communities. In case people are drunk and they don’t have a ride, instead of them getting behind the wheel themselves and putting their lives, along with others lives, at risk, they can call for a ride from someone who is perfectly fit for driving. This would likely cut back on many driving deaths annually from the lack of drunk drivers. As for the average person, drive responsibly. Keep your eyes on the road and keep your phone turned off and kept away. Don’t drive unless the weather and road conditions allow for it, and always pay attention to your surroundings. If we can follow these simple guidelines, then we will be able to make the road a much safer place.