In the Driver’s Seat

Emmalee Dekkers

13 November 2020

In the Driver’s Seat Essay

According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, “The U.S. traffic fatality rate is 12.4 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, and an additional 4.4 million are injured seriously enough to require medical attention.” These scary statistics are the reason that road crashes are a leading cause of death in the United States. Being a safe, responsible, and educated driver can work to decrease these numbers.

Driver’s ed was nothing short of incredibly useful for my driving experience, and if it isn’t already a requirement, everyone should have to take the classes, and pass the test prior to operating a motor vehicle. The importance of education is that it teaches young drivers how to interact with road signs, with other drivers on the road, etc. Drivers with little competence of how traffic is meant to work are the most dangerous people, perhaps in the world. Educating the people on how to safely drive is the single most important way to prevent accidents before they even occur.

Unfortunately, the death toll from driving does not look like it is going down any time soon, even with the invention of smart cars that are said to avoid accidents altogether. But there are simple steps that can be followed by even new drivers to reduce risk of an accident. As mentioned earlier, following traffic laws and being a predictable driver is a good place to start. Additionally, it is recommended that people avoid driving with distractions, drive rested, and avoid driving altogether if intoxicated. A designated driver can ensure that people arrive safely at their destinations. And finally, insist that passengers buckle up before every drive, the seatbelts can save lives.

3 weeks ago, I was tired after tennis practice and when I got behind the wheel, I was not making the best decisions, and got into a minor fender bender with a parked car. I felt the squeeze from my insurance company, and that definitely taught me to pay more attention when backing up. Both of my parents have fantastic driving records but sometimes my dad drives like an absolute maniac, I’m not sure I enjoy being in the car with him. Most of my friends are congnisant of their driving habits.

There are many steps to be taken to be a safe driver. First thing to do when driving is to buckle up and check that mirrors are set up properly. Having knowledge of how to interact with other drivers on the road in a safe and effective manner also helps, and those should be put into play while driving. It’s incredibly important to remember that driving impaired is not only a danger to yourself, but to others on the road as well. Educating people about the habits they should practice and the risk involved with driving is the best way to help others become safer on the road, and together we can prevent road injuries and fatalities.