The Importance of Safe Driving

Madelyne Taylor-Ebersole

11/28/2020

505 Words

The Importance of Safe Driving

The ability to drive is a privilege and honor that comes with great responsibility. Driving can be fun, but it is also important to remember that you are accountable for the people inside and outside of your car as well. Being knowledgeable in driver education can eliminate deaths by driving and reduce car accidents.

First and foremost, when driving, you are liable for not only your life but the lives of the people in your car as well. It is crucial to be sensible and cautious while driving to keep you and your loved ones alive while on the road. Driving attentively reduces the number of deaths due to driving. Paying attention to road conditions, other vehicles, pedestrians, weather conditions etc. will lower the chances of hitting someone or getting into a car accident putting an end to deaths due to driving. Additionally, being educated in road signs and signals can help with knowing when it is safe to drive.

There are several steps you can take to be a safe driver and reduce the number of deaths by driving. First, make sure you are awake and alert before driving and that you are not under the influence of alcohol or any drugs/medications that can make you sleepy. Second, be sure that your car has had the proper repairs and maintenance to ensure that everything is in working order. Next, minimize distractions inside the car so you can pay attention to distractions outside of the car. Lastly, survey your passengers to make sure they are wearing seatbelts and sitting appropriately. These simple precautions can reduce deaths by driving and help you to be a better and safer driver.

Though I am a safe driver and follow the precautions discussed above, I was almost in a head on collision on my way to school one day. It was another typical morning on Highway 71. As I drive to school there are always people who pass other cars safely, but the truck that nearly hit me didn’t look or even bother check if the other lane was clear on this two lane highway. As I approach a semi, a pickup truck suddenly emerges from behind the semi racing to hit me head on. I hit the brakes and safely moved onto the shoulder and then into the grass. I proceeded to drive in the grass and honk my horn until the pickup truck was no longer in the way. Being awake and alert, knowing my car was in good shape, eliminating distractions like my phone, and wearing my seatbelt were all factors that helped keep myself and the man in the truck safe.

Experiences like this are a great reminder of how driving safely is crucial to keeping yourself and others safe. In Florida, there are 650 crashes alone in a day. Out of those crashes, 15 people die a day. Taking the steps to be a safe driver, such as the ones described above, may reduce deaths by driving and the number of car accidents.