Re Educating Can Save Lives

RE EDUCATING CAN SAVE LIVES

Driver Education should be a mandatory process for all drivers in the USA. This education starts in high schools and should continue throughout our lives. Anyone who desires to have this privilege to drive needs to commit to the process.

In the world today it is already proven that recertifying will strengthen skills for many different professions and is mandatory. So why are we allowing people to take it for granted behind the wheel and not making them accountable for their mistakes, negligence and inability to keep up with the rules of the road? Stronger laws need to be put in place to hold everyone accountable. People’s lives are a stake, children’s safety are in impending danger, stronger methods must be placed.

Back in 2010 my husband was on his way home from work in Egg Harbor Township. He was hit from behind by a young adult under the influence of substances and alcohol. My husband was pushed into oncoming traffic and collided with a motorcycle carrying two people. They flew off the cycle and did not survive the impact. Our car was crushed both from the back and front and my husband suffered from a concussion, pain in his legs and back as well as PTSD due to the young adult who made a horrible choice to drive. Because we were Pennsylvania residents the penalties differed for those who resided in New Jersey in which allowed him to get off with little to no ownership including the fact his was government official father got him out of severe consequences. To this day my husband has felt the effects of that one day over and over again.

According to the State of NJ Department of Transportation in Atlantic County, during 2010 there were 8,693 accidents, 2,347 injuries, 22 deaths and 76 injuries due to cell phone usage. The latest reports available show as of 2018 there have been total accidents 7,494, 1,980 were injured, 27 deaths, and 48 accidents due to Cell phone usage. That shows that estimate of 1,200 whose lives have been saved but is that really an improvement when the number fluctuates up and down? We need a bigger impact in our country. What can we do?

My first suggestion would be to force both the person who caused the accident and the person who did not to be reeducated in driving techniques and rules. Giving them special classes specific to their situation can improve their skills. Teaching the offensive and defensive driving skills will help prevent repeat accidents. The more they are forced to attend to more lives can be saved.

My second suggestion is based off of the idea that cars are being designed with Smart Technology so why don’t we take it one more step forward. We could redesign the breathalyzer that would measure the blood levels for drivers to be able to operate any vehicle. People under the influence or have addiction problems would not be able to use a vehicle. People who have already one substance violation regardless of driving or not would automatically be connected to monitor. With the increase of substance abuse on the rise we need to consider this option or an option similar to prevent vehicles to be used.

My proposals would be to make it mandatory for a person that receives a second driving violation or is involved in a second accident will have to attend a special class for their issue and retest inorder to continue to have the privilege to operate a vehicle. Those that are guilty for causing the accidents should still be fined. Our country should make these requirements for all involved. If they fail to comply then maybe the said person cannot collect their taxes at the end of year. Make it stick, enforce the seriousness of it. It wouldn’t matter if they are rich or poor, all should be treated the same.