Small Changes Make a Drastic Impact

Small Changes Make a Drastic Impact

It is very vital that every driver is informed on the rules of the road. According to Safety Insurance, at least seventy-seven percent of accidents on the road are caused by the person in front of the wheel. This can easily be prevented if every individual is educated and cautious on the road. There are ways that teeenagers and adults, including myself, can improve their ways of action on the road.

One of the best ways for drivers to learn the rules of the road is to take a formal drivers education course. The course informs and educates future drivers on a wide range of information. Some of the information is common sense or that you already know. However, much of the information is new to a future driver and extremely important to learn in order to practice safe driving. I remember taking my drivers education course. It was a little overwhelming, but I knew how vital it was in order to be safe on the roads.

A very important factor of being safe on the road is following the speed limit. Most people do not follow this rule and over half the population of teenagers speed when they are driving. Teenagers are inexperienced drivers, so when they speed, they have a higher incidence of having an accident. According to the CDC, Teenagers are more likely than older drivers to speed. It also states that 30% of male drivers and 18% of female drivers who were in fatal crashes were speeding. The CDC reports that those are the highest percentages compared with all other age groups. Speed limits are in place for a reason. Following speed limits is essential to preventing accidents which will result in saving many lives.

Another very important subject to me while driving is keeping your eyes on the road. It is very easy to get distracted in a car from many things such as your phone, music, and the passenger in your car. However, these small actions can result in a frightening experience. I recently read a story about a seven year old boy who was going to play at the park. As he was walking to the park, he was dragged under a woman’s car for over twenty feet along a road. This only happened because she was texting and driving. This seven year old child’s life has been changed forever. He was in the ICU for four months and was paralyzed from the waist down. He can no longer go to the park, walk to school, or do the most simple tasks that a child should be able to do. Instead, he is stuck in a wheelchair for the rest of his life only because a driver sent a quick text.

Reviewing driving rules, regulations and laws on a yearly basis would be a great way for all drivers to practice safe driving. I believe that a great way to make sure that adult drivers remember the rules is to make them take a short test when they renew their driver’s license. If they fail the test, they should have to take a refresher driving course before their license is issued to them. In my opinion, this would ensure that everyone remains knowledgeable and on top of what they need to know to make our roads as safe as possible.

Making sure to follow the speed limits and limiting distractions while driving will prevent accidents and save countless lives. Reading and listening to stories of others whose lives have been impacted by unfortunate car accidents will remind us of the importance of abiding by the rules of the road. When you hear of the loss of a child, parent, or loved one due to a senseless and avoidable car accident, it really reminds a person to slow down and that no text is that important to read while driving.