In the Driver’s Seat

In the Driver’s Seat

By, Elizabeth Lord

The importance of driver education in reducing the number of deaths resulting from driving should be the main priority for new and existing drivers. When new drivers get their license getting into a car accident is the last thing on their mind, they are just excited to drive finally. Many people will not see it as a problem unless a horrible accident happened to them or a loved one. They think that horrific accidents are only under certain circumstances on the news and movies, oblivious to the fact that it can happen to anyone, any day, at any time. This is why drivers should always have their eyes on the road 100% of the time because things can change in the blink of an eye.

Steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving is to make people more aware of this growing problem. The most efficient way to get this message across would be to require a class that gives detailed information about car accidents and how to avoid them. It can have testimonials where survivors can share their stories, as well as statistics. The statistics can entail the importance of how wearing a seatbelt can save your life. This class can be a requirement by law for all new drivers and those who renew their license to remind them that no one is invincible.

Thankfully neither a loved one nor myself has been in a car accident. I did see on the news a story of a young mother who was picking up her boyfriend from work and got into a terrible accident on the freeway. Her baby was in the backseat and made it safely with not even a scratch. Unfortunately, the mother did not make it out alive and passed away on impact. This story touched my heart and made me thankful to be alive every time I make it home safely.

Steps I can take to be a better and safer driver is to limit distractions by having my phone in the glove box, and the radio station set up before I start my drive. The best way I can help others stay safe on the road would be to pay full attention to my surroundings. I can not control others’ acts, so being attentive can best assist me in (honking my horn) to get another driver’s attention or merely use my blinker to avoid any traffic collision. Other drivers can have a lot going on and be easily distracted, as I learned from personal experience. Last year I was waiting in a line to get into Dodger Stadium, which is uphill; I noticed that the car in front of me started to roll back and was about to hit me. Luckily, even though we were waiting in line, I still had my eyes on the road and was able to honk my horn just in time for them to hit the brakes. Although this only would have been a small “fender bender,” it taught me always to pay attention, especially because others might not be.