The Importance of Safe Driving

Destiny Wrenn

Honors Eng. IV

28 Nov. 2020

The Importance of Safe Driving

In the United States today, there are many instances where lives are lost due to the lack of safe driving. A great number of these deaths are caused by unsafe driving since a great number of people underrate the seriousness of safe driving. Sadly, these ongoing trends remain with great frequency and without the necessary action they will continue to heighten.

Firstly, driver education plays a huge part in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving. In fact, driver education is vital because it informs drivers of the basic principles of vehicle control and traffic maneuvers. Driving education teaches people how to operate a vehicle safely. Without driver education there would be a greater number of people on the road who do not have the knowledge of how to safely operate a vehicle, thus resulting in an increase rather than a reduction in the number of deaths caused by unsafe driving. Driver education has a positive effect. It is the reason why there are less car involved crashes among people, particularly teens.

There are many, but necessary steps needed to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. A few ways that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving is to get as much supervised practice driving as possible, drive rested with a clear mind as those who are upset tend to not focus as they normally would, avoid distractions, anticipate the actions of others, if possible, obey all traffic laws, and wear your seatbelt. Personally, I have seen several of my family members driving irresponsibly, one being my brother. In many instances my brother has driven irresponsibly. There have been many times where he has been distracted as he has driven while texting, been sleepy at the wheel, and not necessarily obeying all traffic laws at all times. It was a particular day when I was with my brother. He tends to stay up late at night and that morning we had to run errands. We were approaching a traffic light and he dozed off. The moment was swift as the car swerved to the right. In panic, I looked in his direction and I noticed he had dozed off within a matter of seconds. Fortunately, my brother awoke as I expressed fear and he was able to direct the car back in his control. This event was very frightening to me. It happened and made me realize that there are many factors that contribute to safe driving, one being the driver needing to be fully aware and awake at the wheel.

In short, the steps that I can take to be a better and safer driver as well as helping others become safer on the road is I can be more aware of people’s actions. I will be more responsible and call others out on their negligent actions as me saying something can be the difference between life and death. Another step I can take to be a better driver is I can stay focused on driving and only driving as doing so is critical to safe driving.