How to Save a Life

How to Save a Life

Reckless driving is one of the leading causes of death in the world. On average, 3,400 people lose their life in a fatal car accident. Those lost lives had no idea it would be there last day, and the unexpected death left their families heartbroken. With the fast pace transportation, it is obvious car accidents are inevitable, but they are also preventable. By practicing safe driving, you could unknowingly save other’s lives and your own.

Not only are driving habits important to practice, but the driver education lessons set the structure for your habits. Now drivers ed is completed online through PowerPoints and notes to prepare kids for their license. Although, students complete a test at the end to prove their knowledge, what did they really learn? Taking a “In class drivers-ed” would be more beneficial to students to ensure they pay attention and pick up the information required such as the basics of driving and good driving habits. With the installation of a physical class, it could improve drivers’ techniques and improve the number of accidents to reduce the number of deaths.

Another idea to reduce deaths would be to require defensive driving in order to obtain a driver’s license. Again, better driving habits would reduce the likelihood of a vehicle collision. Defensive driving is sometimes assigned to an individual after they receive a ticket and would rather take defensive driving to keep the insurance payments from rising. It is a good system, but why not allow new drivers to take the course to improve their techniques. In the course, the students are taught to recognize their surroundings, cut out distractions, and to do not depend on other drivers. Just by using these practices, it can reduce the dangers that come with driving tremendously.

For the majority of my life, I never worried of the dangers of driving until I experienced my first car accident in December last year. Every morning, a friend picked me up to go to school, but that particular morning was different than the others. We were on our way to the high school, but as she tried to make a left turn from the median of a busy street, a car trying to cut across the entire road didn’t see us and went ahead. He hit the back end of the car thankfully, but it could’ve easily been a different story. Once we made certain everyone was okay and talked to the driver of the other vehicle, he admitted he wasn’t paying much attention and glanced at his phone prior to the crash. Luckily, I have never experienced a fatal car accident, but this minor collision opened my eyes to the importance of safe driving.

There are endless methods to ensure safer driving, but the most campaigned method is no texting and driving. It is reported one out of every four car accidents in the US have been caused by texting and driving. Technology has grown tremendously over the years, so it is understandable why people feel the need to always be on their phone but driving has no exceptions. A quick glance at the text just received can do unforgettable damage. I have been in a car with a friend who begins to text while driving, and it seems like a small action but in reality, your life is in their hands and they’re not protecting it well. I always offer to drive when I am with friends because I can ensure my own safety and others around me by focusing on my surroundings and refrain from multitasking. At the end of the day, a life is far more precious than a “quick” response on the phone. It can wait!

Driving holds a large responsibility, but just by practicing safe habits, we can make the roads safer. It is important to stay aware of your surroundings, drive with caution, and most definitely do not text and drive. Accidents happen all the time, that’s why they are called accidents, but some can be prevented. Do your part to reduce the number, because you never know when it could be you.