The Future of Driving

In 2010, statistics showed there was a reported 32,999 deaths from motor vehicle accidents. Whereas in 2018, statistics showed that there were a reported 36,560 deaths from motor vehicle accidents. The average number of car accidents that occur every year has fluctuated up and down. Car accidents are one of the most common tragedies that you personally witness in your everyday life. I remember all the times I got stuck in traffic because there was a wreck. As a nation and community, there is one very important thing that has helped to solve this problem: the education and advocacy of the importance of driver’s education. Classes for defensive driving have been administered more often to the general public. Defensive driving is where you anticipate the movement and actions of drivers around you whereas offensive driving is driving normally trusting yourself but not the actions of others. People who are more educated on the rules of the road and are more aware of the drivers around them are more likely to prevent injuries/deaths and accidents to themselves and others.

There are many steps an individual can take to reduce the number of deaths related to driving across the nation and the community simultaneously. One important one is anticipating the actions of the other drivers around you because this can save you from getting in an accident that is potentially not your fault. Always follow the 5 second rule so you are not trailing another car. You need to keep a good distance so if they come to a sudden stop, you have time to brake and will not rear end them. Try not to drive in bad weather conditions if you do not have to. Sometimes weather can negatively affect the next move of your car, like when the rain can cause you to hydroplane or the wind can push your car back and forth. If you do not put yourself in this situation if you do not absolutely have to, then you are potentially saving yourself and others from the dangers of what could have happened. Come to a complete stop at a stop sign and stoplight no matter what. You never know who is already there before you and you don’t want to drive right into a wreck. Finally, follow the speed limit. The area or road has that speed limit for a reason, so exceeding that could put you and others in danger very quick. If more and more people in every community abide by these rules, we can easily reduce the number of deaths by car accidents.

I have personally experienced a car wreck and have seen friends driving irresponsibly. My first accident involving another person happened while I driving to my friend’s house. I was just about to get to the stoplight and some lady that was getting off an exit ramp to turn left was texting and driving. Since she wasn’t paying attention to where she was going, she hit the back of the passenger’s side of my car. Though I was paying attention and doing everything I was supposed to be doing, I still ended up in a mild wreck because of someone else’s lack of attention.

There needs to be more change in this world to reduce accidents/deaths due to motor vehicles. There should be more ways to encourage no texting and driving. This is one universal mistake that people of all ages do and is one of the leading reasons to getting in car wrecks. More commercials or ads that present how lucky you are to have your family could be displayed on TV, social media, etc., to help individuals realize the importance of keeping themselves and others safe and alive. Teens especially need to have people that they look up to, to advocate driving responsibly. Some advocates could be celebrities or even just two friends having a valuable conversation about drivers’ education. This will create a sense of optimism and comfort that will assure the teen that following the rules of the road and taking safety precautions while driving is the norm. If all teens do this, more will join in. There could also be more clubs and extracurriculars that young teens and adults could join to create a safe place for driving. Luckily with most adults, if you remind them of their family, friends, and valuables, they would not risk any of that to drive stupid even at least one time. Drivers education and safety will always continue to reduce deaths caused by car accidents all over the world and should always be advocated to all generations.