Basic Driving Maneuvers

Alexis Ramirez

Basic Driving Maneuvers

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More than 38,000 people die every year from U.S. roadway crashes. These crashes are the leading cause of death for people ages 1-54. 26 percent of those deaths are caused by drunk drivers or irresponsible driving. These deaths can be avoided if we follow these simple driving maneuvers to prevent crashes.

WEAR A SEATBELT

According to NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), seat belt use in passenger vehicles saved an estimated 14,955 lives in 2017. It is important that everyone around the world wear seat belts. No matter the age or which seat you are seated in. It is important because it can protect your brain and spinal cord along with preventing you from flying out of a window and launching several feet in the air.

PRACTICE SPACE AND TIME CONTROL

The laws of physics say that two objects cannot occupy the same space simultaneously. That has a lot of implications for driving. Many studies have shown that driving too closely to another vehicle in front or to the side can be fatal. If the driver ahead of you has to slow down or stop because of traffic change or roadwork and you are to close behind them you can crash into them from behind and cause yourself and the other driver to get hurt badly. Additionally, by staying in your own lane with no swerving and keeping a safe distance between you and other drivers can lower the chances of crashing into one another.

DO NOT DRIVE INTOXICATED

2017 data from the NHTSA shows that drunk driving is highly prevalent among the 21–24 age group, followed by drivers aged 25 to 34 (26%). Many young drivers tend to ignore the risk that comes along with driving, especially driving while intoxicated. This results in many crashes and deaths that could have been avoidable if you asked a close friend or family member to pick you up or a cab. Driving while intoxicated not only messes up your vision and thinking strategy but it also reduces your reflexes to stop yourself from going off the road or hitting another vehicle.

FATIGUED DRIVING

According to the National Sleep Foundation, about half of U.S. adult drivers admit to consistently getting behind the wheel while feeling drowsy. Although driving while under the influence is the number one leading cause of death, driving while extremely tired is comparable to it. Almost 20% of people have admitted to falling asleep behind their wheel. Drowsy driving is one of the most dangerous things in the world because it can result in the death of you or other drivers. The best way to prevent this is to take the night off to not drive or get a good night’s rest the night before. If you are not alone you can also ask the other person to drive for you or stay the night at the location that you are planning to leave from.

FInally, of course there are many ways that you can get into a car crash some not being your fault at all but these are some of the major causes and ways that you can help prevent them from happening, each of these issues have a consequence to not only your life but the lives of others. Please drive respectfully and responsibly. Always remember that these deaths can be avoided if we follow these simple driving maneuvers to prevent crashes.