Focused Drivers are Safe Drivers

While driving is a known risk for multiple reasons, such as weather, vehicle issues, and other drivers, steps can be taken so that drivers new and old understand how to assess a situation and calmly respond to it. Driver’s education gives vehicle owners the ability to calmly respond to any potentially risky situation, such as a slippery road or another risky driver. If drivers understand how to reduce the risk of injury or death in situations that may lead to an accident by turning the wheel a certain way or pushing on the brake instead of the gas, then deaths caused by accidents on the road will decline.

Many steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to car accidents, but there are a few steps that can be applied to many driving situations. Firstly, as a driver, an individual must always be focused only on the road. Eating, minding children, interacting with other passengers, and the use of technology are all counted as distractions on the road and often cause accidents. If possible, these distractions must be avoided at all times unless absolutely necessary. The avoidance of speeding, especially in residential areas, also drastically reduces the risk of hitting a pedestrian, another driver, or an object such as a mailbox or lamp post. Lastly, a driver must truly comprehend the risk and responsibility that befalls their shoulders when they are in the driver’s seat. Driving is an incredibly serious task to take on and every driver should understand that their choices could be what decides whether someone else lives or dies.

I have been involved in a car accident. I was the driver at fault, and at the time, I was incredibly immature about driving. I felt untouchable, and far too confident to be a safe driver. I turned on a yellow blinking light and did not see the other car before I hit them. While the crash was extremely unfortunate, I was also very lucky; neither party had life-threatening injuries, and my worst consequence was that my car was totaled. However, that day was a wake-up call for me. I realized that I could have very easily killed someone, or been killed myself. I have paid my fees, both in court and otherwise, but my mindset for driving has been changed for the safer since that day.

In the months following my crash, I have come to be a strong believer that every driver should take steps to understand what a grave risk they take by being a driver. The responsibility and privilege of driving is not something that should ever be taken lightly, and this should reflect in every driver’s choices each day. Making sure to put phones away, take precautions when in uneasy weather, and focus on the road is necessary to reduce the number of deaths that come with driving in the modern day. Encouraging friends and loved ones to focus on the road as well will help decrease the amount of risk that comes with driving, especially when driving with multiple passengers.